Prison ordered in vehicular assault case

SANDPOINT — A Ponderay man is being imprisoned for up to a year for hitting a bar bouncer with his vehicle during a drunken episode in Sandpoint last fall.

Michael John Edwards entered Alford pleas to charges of aggravated assault and driving under the influence. Under such a plea, a defendant admits no wrongdoing but concedes a conviction could be obtained if the matter went to trial.

Edwards, 47, was charged after hitting the 39-year-old bouncer with his car outside the Eagles Club in Sandpoint on Oct. 29, 2011. The bouncer told Sandpoint Police he was trying to prevent an intoxicated Edwards from getting behind the wheel. The bouncer received non-life-threatening injuries after rolling up the hood of the car and hitting the windshield.

Ponderay Police arrested Edwards during a subsequent traffic stop. His blood-alcohol level was measured 0.18, more than twice the legal limit to drive.

In exchange for his pleas, the state dismissed a third charge alleging Edwards left the scene of an injury collision, court records indicate.

Chief Public Defender Isabella Robertson recommended an 18-month to three-year sentence and emphasized that the alleged victim did not believe that Edwards meant to hit him with the vehicle.

Edwards told 1st District Judge Steve Verby he was “scared straight” by the incident, court records show. Edwards was sentenced on Feb. 9.

Verby imposed a two- to four-year term on the felony assault charge, but retained jurisdiction.

When jurisdiction is retained, a defendant serves up to a year in prison before becoming eligible for probation.

On the DUI charge, Edwards was sentenced to 12 months with six months suspended, according to court documents.

Edwards was also ordered to pay $1,244 in restitution.