Man gets prison for aggravated DUI

COEUR d’ALENE — A Washington man received a prison sentence for a car crash that paralyzed a woman.

A jury convicted Rodney C. Bradley in February of two counts of aggravated DUI, both felonies punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Bradley, 25, later admitted to a persistent violator enhancement, which mandates a prison sentence of at least five years.

First District Judge Scott Wayman sentenced Bradley this week to 25 years in prison with parole eligibility after 10 years.

The charges stem from August 2023, when prosecutors said Bradley collided with a vehicle traveling along Interstate 90, near Rose Lake. Bradley was reportedly clocked driving at speeds as high as 117 mph.

The other vehicle was occupied by a couple who were driving home after getting their marriage certificate, according to the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

The impact propelled the victims forward, causing their vehicle to roll through the median. Both their spines were fractured, prosecutors said, and they sustained lacerations to their bodies.

“The female victim was also scalped and paralyzed,” said a news release issued by the prosecutor’s office.

Police obtained a warrant to collect a sample of Bradley’s blood. Testing revealed Bradley was driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.07 and with methamphetamine in his system. While 0.07 is below the legal limit, prosecutors said, it’s illegal to drive while under the influence of any intoxicating substance, including methamphetamine.

Bradley’s previous criminal convictions in Washington reportedly include felony assault and robbery, obstructing law enforcement, assault, felony burglary and criminal mischief with a deadly weapon and negligent driving.

This story has been updated to correct Bradley's first name.