Man sentenced for eighth DUI

A man is headed to a 13-month treatment program for driving drunk for the seventh and eighth times.

Michael Gilbert Turpin, 54, was sentenced in Flathead District Court last week to 13 months with the Montana Department of Corrections for two felony drinking and driving convictions from 2015, and one felony count of bail jumping.

An eight-year suspended sentence will follow the 13-month commitment to the state’s alcohol treatment program.

Turpin received credit for 192 days of time served.

He has previous drinking and driving convictions from 2000, 2001, 1990, 1988 and 1985.

He was able to plea bargain a felony drinking and driving charge in Lake County in 2010 to a felony criminal endangerment conviction.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.