LANCASTER, Pa. — A Lancaster man will serve up to seven years in prison after being convicted for DUI for the third time in four years, prosecutors said this week.
Jose Gonzalez III, 40, was sentenced by Lancaster County Judge Jeffrey Conrad to a prison term of 3-7 years after pleading guilty on April 17 to DUI -- highest rate of alcohol (.16% or higher), driving under a suspended license, DUI -- general impairment, and a summary traffic offense, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors said Gonzalez III admitted guilt that on Sept. 22, 2023, at approximately 1:26 a.m., he ran a stop sign at the intersection of E. Andrew Street and North Street. The Lancaster City Bureau of Police attempted to pull over his silver Acura SUV using visual and audible signals, but he continued to travel multiple blocks before pulling over in the 600 block of S. Christian Street.
Gonzalez was uncooperative with police, had slurred speech, bloodshot/glossy eyes and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, prosecutors said. A breathalyzer test conducted at 3:15 a.m. showed Gonzalez III had a BAC of .197%, over two times the legal limit of .08%.
The defendant had previous DUI convictions in Lancaster city in 2021 and 2020, according to prosecutors.
Judge Conrad ran the sentences on the third DUI conviction and third driving under suspension conviction consecutively.
Assistant District Attorney Kyle Linardo prosecuted the case. Lancaster City Bureau of Police Officer Croft Howley filed charges.
