Barnes man gets jail, probation for driving drunk

A Barnes man will spend three years on probation and 180 days in jail for his fifth drunk driving incident.

Edward M. Coulombe, 60, pleaded guilty to one count count of operating while intoxicated-fifth or sixth offense earlier this month.

He was sentenced in Douglas County Circuit Court to three years of probation with conditions including 180 days jail and a 36-month driver’s license revocation. He must also undergo a chemical dependency evaluation, install an ignition interlock device and pay $1,604 in fines.

A Douglas County Sheriff’s Department deputy saw a vehicle turn south into the northbound lane of U.S. Highway 53 at 1:46 a.m. Feb. 18. The deputy stopped the vehicle, which was being driven by Coulombe. The Barnes man told the deputy he had consumed a 12-pack of beer that night and admitted he was under the influence. When the deputy told him he had been stopped for going the wrong way on the highway, Coulombe gave him a blank look. The complaint lists four previous intoxicated driving convictions between 1991 and 2000.

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