Man sentenced to 40 years after leading police on high-speed chase while drunk | KVII

Mario Alberto Espinoza, Jr. (Randall County District Attorney)

RANDALL COUNTY, Texas (KVII) — A man was sentenced to 40 years in prison after leading police on a chase while he was drunk last year.

Mario Alberto Espinoza, Jr., was convicted by a jury on July 11 of evading arrest with a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated 3rd or more. Both crimes are normally third-degree felonies but because of the defendant's past conviction history and incarceration, his charges were enhanced to a punishment range of 25 to 99 years or life in prison.

Espinoza has a criminal history including five separate DWI offenses, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, evading arrest, theft and indecency with a child.

In March 2022, Espinoza had been driving close to 90 MPH on I-27. When DPS troopers tried to pull him over, he briefly stopped and then sped off leading to a chase that eventually ended in Happy.

Espinoza was found hiding near a dilapidated barn in which he tried to hide his vehicle.

More investigation revealed that Espinoza was legally intoxicated.

He was convicted on both charges after a three-day trial.