Columbia Falls man gets jail time for fourth DUI

A 32-year-old Columbia Falls man was sentenced Thursday in Flathead District Court to 13 months in jail and three years of probation.

Chad Downen previously pleaded guilty to what was his fourth offense of driving under the influence.

Downen was stopped by police on April 29, 2012, after spinning a brodie on Railroad Street. Downen allegedly admitted he had been drinking, failed a field sobriety test and refused to take a breath sample. His prior convictions for DUI came in May 2003, July 2005 and February 2010.

District Judge Ted Lympus also ordered Downen to complete alcohol treatment and pay a $400 public defender fee and a $500 fine.