The King County Prosecutor's Office has filed its first felony drunk driving case since a new law was passed making a fifth drunk driving conviction a felony. The law went into effect in July 2007.

Karl Solid was charged today with one count of felony driving under the influence. According to court documents, the defendant has eight prior convictions for drunk-driving related offenses. If convicted as charged, Solid would face a standard sentence range of six to eight years in prison.

Solid, 44, was arrested last Saturday after a trooper for the Washington State Patrol observed Solid's car swerving on State Route 522 near Interstate 405. At one point, Solid's car drifted off the roadway and swerved into other lanes. Solid's alcohol level was measured at .28 which is more than three times the legal limit of .08 in Washington State.

Interim King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg said the defendant's most recent arrest is the kind of case the Washington State Legislature had in mind when the new law was passed which makes a fifth DUI in ten years a class "C" felony.

"This crime carries a stiff prison sentence, but it is for the benefit of everyone on the road," Satterberg said.

Dated: September 26, 2007