Lynn man sentenced for fifth DUI

SALEM – A Lynn contractor who admitted driving drunk for his fifth time will serve 30 months in state prison and lose his driving privileges for life.Christopher W. Smith, 47, of 2 Mace Place, #2, Lynn, changed his plea of innocent to guilty Friday in Salem Superior Court to a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, a fifth offense, before Judge Timothy Q. Feeley.On March 23, 2010 police responded to Baltimore Street at about 11:28 a.m., where they discovered Smith had backed his pick-up truck into another vehicle.Lynn Police Officer Ryan McDermott said Smith was rambling words, his eyes were bloodshot and glassy and he had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.After failing several sobriety tests, Smith was placed under arrest.Assistant District Attorney Ashlee Doyle asked for a four- to five-year state prison term based on the facts of the case.Defense lawyer Steven Van Dyke pointed out to Feeley that his client’s last offense was in 1998 and that since the accident he has been sober for 13 months while out on bail awaiting trial on the case.”He made a very bad mistake and slipped and does accept responsibility,” Van Dyke said as he asked the judge to impose the 30-month state prison term.In handing down the punishment, Feeley noted that there had been periods of sobriety and a relapse which was taken into the factor as part of his punishment.”You will always be in recovery for the rest of your life,” Feeley said to Smith as he explained that the punishment he was imposing was “appropriate.”Smith apologized to Feeley for his actions, saying “I am thankful no one was hurt in the accident. It’s unfortunate it took me this long to now realize how serious this disease is.”