DUI Suspect Arrested Fourth Time

Friday, February 9th 2007, 9:43 pm

By: News On 6

A local couple is frustrated over a manâ€™s four arrests for drunk driving. Drew Blaine has one misdemeanor DUI conviction and has pleaded guilty to his two most recent charges. News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports heâ€™s in jail now, but that hasn't always been the case.

Drew Blaine is a 37-year-old surgical nurse at a Tulsa hospital. A Tulsa couple says he was drunk when he hit their car in a convenience store parking lot. They say while waiting for police, Blaine went into the store and tried to buy a 12-pack of beer.

Tammy Isenhour was sitting in her car at a convenience store at 101st and Mingo, waiting for her husband, when she says Drew Blaine rammed into the car. She says he practically fell out of his car he was so drunk.

"He said, here, I've got money, let's just handle it that way. I said, my husband will be out in just a minute," she said.

The Isenhour's say they stalled Blaine until officers arrived, afraid to let him get back behind the wheel.

"I was very concerned he'd run over somebody,â€ Jim Isenhour said. â€œHe was beyond drunk, he was totally unaware of what was going on."

Police arrested Blaine for DUI, and the Isenohour's were frustrated to learn it was his third such arrest.

Records show officers arrested Blaine in November of 2004 after he crashed his SUV into four mailboxes. Documents also show he was arrested in May of 1997 for drunk driving after he ran a red light.

The Isenhourâ€™s frustration turned to outrage when they learned Blaine hit someone else 24 hours after he hit them and just a mile away.

"Furious," said Jim.

"I couldn't even fathom," Tammy said.

"First off, they let somebody out on a small bond with his record, but also, they let his car go," Jim said.

Tammy was off work for three months after Blaine hit her car, because the impact tore the muscles loose from her spine around her neck. They fear Blaine will get probation once again.

"I said is he going to have to kill somebody to go to prison and he said, yes. That's just terrible. In my eyes, you kill somebody with a car, is there any difference than a gun? You're just as dead and you caused it," said Jim Isenhour.

Blaine's attorney told the News on 6 that this is "a unique situation involving a very unusual client." She says "he has taken steps to change his life, including joining a peer assistance program, attending counseling and submitting to random drug and alcohol testing." His attorney says because of his sincerity, the department of corrections is recommending he get probation. She says he is genuinely remorseful.

We'll let you know what happens at his sentencing in March.