Dalton Gardens man nailed with 7th DUI

COEUR d'ALENE — Paul A. Hendzel of Dalton Gardens was arrested Saturday night after allegedly committing his seventh DUI offense, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office.

Just before 10 p.m. Saturday, deputies were sent to the area of Hanley Avenue and Government Way after reports of a reckless driver that had reportedly hit several vehicles and was all over the road.

Sheriff's deputies found the pickup speeding down Rude Street before the driver reportedly pulled into a person's yard, U-turned around a tree and sped past a sergeant into a nearby driveway. Hendzel got out of the truck and, according to a sheriff's office report, initially did not listen to the sergeant's directions, but was eventually taken into custody.

Hendzel, 54, was booked into the Kootenai County Jail for a felony charge of excessive blood alcohol content (above .20) driving under the influence. Hendzel had been booked into county jail six times before for DUI offenses dating back to 1989.

The original witness also told deputies that Hendzel had driven his pickup through the center of the roundabout at 4th Street and Kathleen Avenue, causing damage to the vegetation.