RSS | 
Twitter
| 
Be a fan!
Buffalo Twp. man gets 30 to 60 months for DUIs
A Buffalo Township man said he went on a drinking spree and committed his 11th driving-under-the-influence offense last summer because his pregnant girlfriend left him and moved into a crack house.
Dean E. Hixenbaugh Jr., 49, of 520 Rural Valley Road, offered the explanation Thursday to Washington County Judge John DiSalle, just moments prior to being sentenced to 30 to 60 months in prison followed by 8 years in the Intermediate Punishment Program with the first year on electronic home monitoring and SCRAM monitor.
Rate This Story:
1 the lowest - 5 the highest
Current rating:
Hixenbaugh had seven prior DUI convictions and two license suspension violations dating to 1987.
The latest four DUI offenses occurred during a four-month period last summer.
He was first charged June 28 after he was found parked in the middle of Wylie Avenue in Canton Township with a 0.151 percent blood-alcohol content. When questioned by police, he falsely identified himself as another person.
He was next picked up July 10 when he was found slumped over the wheel of a vehicle on West Chestnut Street in North Franklin Township with a 0.208 percent BAC.
On Aug. 26, Hixenbaugh was arrested following a traffic stop on McCarrell Avenue in Washington with a 0.158 percent BAC.
Finally, he was charged Sept. 26 following a two-vehicle crash on Pleasant Valley Road in Buffalo Township. His BAC was 0.122 percent.
In addition, Hixenbaugh pleaded guilty Tuesday to drug charges stemming from a more recent case.
While Hixenbaugh received a substantial prison term, DiSalle said that he could be eligible for the state's 24-month Intermediate Punishment Program or the Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive, which could result in lesser time behind bars.
Hixenbaugh also will be required to pay about $10,000 in fines. He also will have to undergo drug and alcohol evaluation and have his driver's license suspended for about 20 years.
another example : 6/19/2009
This is another example of how our judicial system doesn't care about law-abiding drivers who are killed by these drunks. Four stops in 3 months, what allowed him to keep driving drunk, especially when it was his 7th, etc. Thanks judges, you are really looking out for the community good. Let him in to a program, sounds like he really wants to change.
All’s fair in Washington County? : 6/19/2009
Who’s more of a threat to society? A 19-year old who steals two monkeys and then returns them or an individual that has committed his 11th driving under the influence charge? Apparently the judicial system wasn’t much of a deterrent to keep this Buffalo Township man from being a repeat offender. Makes me wonder how the 19-year old will turnout after 2-5 years in prison. Seems to me the military plea would have been the best initial option for him, but apparently Judge DiSalle prefers the recidivism of the judicial system.
Worthless : 6/19/2009
Regardless, he did receive a sentence. Is it long enough? NO. How scary to think that this guy is driving around our neighbnors and was only caught eleven times. Why does it take 11 times before something is done? He should loose his driving privilege all together. The crash that happened in Septemeber could have cost my loved one his life so I have absolutely NO SYMPATHY for this worthless individual and his excuses. MAN UP!
DUI sentences : 6/19/2009
People will continue to drive under the influence. I’m not sure what the answer is to the problem. I suppose those who have committed DUI could be warned that they could kill someone and face serious consequences. Yeah right, serious consequences, I suppose that depends on who you are. NFL wide-receiver and multi-millionaire Donte Stallworth pleaded guilty to killing 59-year old man while driving his Bentley driving under the influence. He received 8-years probation, 2-years house arrest in his spacious multi million dollar home,1,000 hours of community service probably served by teaching some little kids how to caught a football, and 30 days in jail. Pretty lame sentence for taking a life.
Navy : 6/19/2009
The Navy would never take a felon. The Navy needs the best and brightest, not criminals.
Bob Dump : 6/19/2009
The military has taken less and turn them into up standing citizens.
recidivism : 6/22/2009
All habituals are exactly that. No amount of training will rehab them. With only about 3% success rate, it's all about making money for those with degrees who, run the system. Go back to the Bible. Put them through Marine Corps training. What doesn't kill them, will make them stronger.
