A Tyler, TX Man Will Be Spending The Rest Of His Life Behind Bars After Racking Up An Astonishing Arrest Record.

Multiple drunk driving charges can lead to life behind bars in Texas if you didn't know by now, underscoring the state's commitment to curbing a deadly menace.

Drunk driving endangers lives, making it a top public safety concern. When someone accumulates multiple DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) convictions, they demonstrate a disturbing pattern of recklessness and disregard for others.

Penalties for subsequent DUI offenses often escalate, and in some jurisdictions, three or more convictions can result in a lifetime jail sentence.

56-Year-Old Michael McKenney Of Tyler Received His First DWI Arrest In 1989.

(Photo Above From 2011 Arrest For Parole Violation)

According to Smith County Jail records, McKenney received his first DWI arrest on December 2, 1989 and he was released on the same day. After that, McKenney would be arrested at least 8 more times for DWI:

Arrest #2 - 01/24/2012

He would get popped once again for DWI just a few DAYS later....

Arrest #3 - 02/07/2012

It Would Be 4 Years Before His Next DWI Arrest In 2016...

Arrest #4 - 06/14/2016

BUT....just over 2 MONTHS later, he caught DWI Number 5.

Arrest #5:  06/13/2016

2016 just wasn't his year because he was arrested less than 2 MONTHS LATER by Smith County Adult Probation for another DWI charge....If you're keeping score at home kids, that's SIX..

Arrest #6 - 10/07/2016

It would be just short of a MONTH before McKenney would be making a return trip to the Smith County Jail for another DWI. This time he would go away for awhile because it would be nearly 5 years before he's arrested again.

Arrest #7 - 11/07/2016

Which Brings Us To March 11, 2021. McKenney was charged with driving while intoxicated three times or more.

Arrest #8: 03/11/2021

His charge was enhanced to a felony DWI due to two prior DWI convictions and he was booked back into the Smith County Jail on September 9, 2021.

Arrest #9 - 09/09/2021

Finally, the courts had enough. McKenney who also had prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, sexual assault of a child and failure to register as a sex offender was about to get the book thrown at him.

Due to his MANY prior convictions faced a minimum of 25 years or a maximum of life in prison.

A Smith County jury sentenced Michael Wayne McKenney to life in prison on Thursday (10/19/2023). Such stern consequences serve as a stark reminder that choosing to drink and drive can have devastating, long-term consequences even if no one gets harmed.