Eystad convicted of eighth DUI
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
2 of 3 free articles.
POLSON — A Flathead Valley man was committed at District Court in Polson Jan. 6 to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years after being convicted of what records show is his eighth DUI conviction.
Earl Dean Eystad, 55, was fined $5,000 and given credit for having already served 223 days in jail.
According to court records, on May 16, Lake County Sheriff’s Lt. Fernando Venegas took a report of a possible drunk driver in the Woods Bay area. Lt. Venegas observed the suspect vehicle weaving all over the road and driving 15 miles per hour below the posted speed limit before conducting a traffic stop on it. The driver was identified as Eystad. He appeared to be intoxicated and smelled of alcohol. He had to hold onto his vehicle to maintain his balance and was either unable or unwilling to participate in field sobriety tests or provide a breath test. Lt. Venegas also noted a glass pipe and empty containers of alcohol on the floorboard of the vehicle.
A check of Eystad’s records shows seven prior convictions for DUI.
