A DUI driver, the first to be convicted as a felon by a Denver jury, was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison.
Matthew Allen, 40, was convicted in November of driving while ability impaired fourth or subsequent offense, a fourth-degree felony.
He also was sentenced to three years of parole upon his prison release, according to the Denver district attorney’s office.
Allen was pulled over at about 2 a.m. March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, near the intersection of West Alameda Avenue and Lipan Street. A police officer saw him cut in front of an ambulance, prosecutors said. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
He was charged under the new felony DUI statute when it was determine he had three prior drinking and driving convictions dating back to 2004, the district attorney’s office said.
