A San Antonio man who passed out in a Long John Silver's drive-thru lane is headed to prison for 25 years after pleading guilty to his fourth driving-while-intoxicated charge and multiple bail-jumping counts.
New Braunfels police found the man unresponsive in the fast-food line, and a blood test later showed his blood-alcohol concentration at 0.176, more than twice the legal limit. Prosecutors told the court he had repeatedly skipped hearings, and Judge Tracie Wright-Reneau of the 207th District Court handed down the 25-year sentence, which also took into account his prior felony record, according to court documents.
News4SanAntonio reports that the defendant, 50-year-old Bradley Gonzales, told officers he had "two beers" before his arrest. The Comal County District Attorney’s Office said prosecutors pursued habitual-offender enhancements, and the final sentence factored in three willful failures to appear in court.
How Texas Law Treats Repeat DWI
Under the Texas Penal Code, a third or subsequent DWI can be prosecuted as a felony, which sharply increases the potential punishment compared with a first-time offense. When prosecutors prove prior felony convictions, the state’s habitual-offender statute can push possible sentences into the 25-to-99-year range.
For the statutory details, see the relevant provisions of the Texas Penal Code and its habitual-offender section in the Texas Penal Code.
Comal County's Recent Sentencing Pattern
Comal County prosecutors have in recent years leaned into enhanced punishments for repeat DWI offenders. In a high-profile case on Nov. 7, 2025, a New Braunfels man received a life sentence after a jury convicted him of a seventh DWI, a result that signaled the county’s willingness to pursue the harshest penalties available under state law, as reported by the San Antonio Express-News.
Court Details And Defendant's Record
The Comal County District Attorney's Office said Gonzales has prior felony convictions, including attempted burglary and family violence, which made him eligible for habitual-offender treatment, News4SanAntonio reports. Prosecutors also cited three willful failures to appear in court as part of the reasoning behind the 25-year term.
Officials have not yet released details about Gonzales' parole eligibility, and it is not clear whether his defense team plans to appeal.
