Chandler, TX — Jay William Layne has been convicted of felony DWI, third or more, and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Judge Mark Calhoon handled the case in the 3rd District Court. Assistant District Attorney Jeff Herrington prosecuted.
The sentence was enhanced by five prior DWI convictions. Two of those brought prison time: five years in 2011 in Smith County and 12 years in 2018 in Van Zandt County. Layne was on parole when this case happened.
On April 27, Chandler Officer Christopher Callaway responded to a 911 call about a reckless driver heading east on State Highway 31 toward Tyler. After the stop, Callaway noted heavily slurred speech and an open vodka bottle in the passenger seat.
DPS Trooper Travis Murdoch was called for field sobriety tests but stopped because of how intoxicated Layne appeared. A lab test later showed a blood alcohol level of .286.
District Attorney Jenny Palmer thanked the 911 caller and the officers for getting an impaired driver off the road.