ALBANY — Three weeks after he was put on probation, an Albany man was arrested on a second-offense charge of operating while intoxicated.
Zachary W. Schliem, 21, lost control of his vehicle early Oct. 21 while driving westbound in the 400 block of East Main Street in Albany and collided with a concrete embankment, according to the Green County Sheriff’s Office. He reported no injuries.
Deputies responded to the scene at 2:37 a.m. and arrested Schliem on the second-offense criminal traffic charge of operating while under the influence of alcohol. Schliem was also cited for failure to maintain control of a vehicle, driving with a revoked license, failure to notify law enforcement of a crash and failure to install an ignition interlock device.
Schliem was held at the jail on a Department of Corrections hold.
He was sentenced Oct. 1 to 18 months on probation for misdemeanor convictions of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property, with a felony charge of possessing methamphetamine dismissed as part of a plea deal but “read in,” meaning the judge could consider it at sentencing.
His attorney, Philip Brehm, told the court the charges stemmed from substance abuse issues and a destructive relationship with an ex-girlfriend. Brehm noted that Schliem is young and has no prior record.
Assistant District Attorney Laura Kohl also supported probation and eventual expungement, arguing that if Schliem could “separate from the drug culture and the issues there, I think he can turn things around.”
“I think we should give him a chance to try,” Kohl said.
When given an opportunity to speak in court, Schliem thanked everyone present for giving him a second chance.
“I was in a very, very, very rough point in my life. ... I think this will give me a lot of opportunity and incentive to move forward with my life,” he said.
Judge Thomas Vale noted that a combination of drugs and mental health issues put Schliem “doubly in danger and can have tragic consequences.”
“I’m willing to give you the opportunity to prove yourself,” Vale said.