NORWICH – A Smithville man, who was arrested last year for crashing his vehicle, fleeing the scene, and driving while intoxicated, was sent to prison this week by Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr. after receiving his seventh “drinking and driving” conviction in Chenango County Court.

On Sept. 19, 2014, 42-year-old Mark A. Barrett was arrested for a felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and moving from lane unsafely after he caused a one-vehicle accident in Coventry.

It is alleged Barrett was driving his 2009 Dodge motor vehicle on State Highway 235 in the Town of Coventry when he swerved off the road. After he swerved off the road, Barrett allegedly struck a guide rail and crashed into a creek before fleeing the scene of the accident.

Chenango County Sheriff's Office deputies said that after running away, Barrett hid in the tree line near where he crashed his car, but a civilian allegedly found him and identified Barrett as the driver.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Barrett allegedly had a blood alcohol concentration of .19 percent, which is twice the legal limit. Not only was Barrett allegedly found over the legal limit, it was also discovered he had a previous felony DWI within the past ten years, along with other alcohol related convictions, and a suspended license, said deputies.

Barrett was arraigned in the Town of Coventry Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility in lieu $5000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.

Barrett was indicted on Nov. 20, 2014 for the felonies of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, aggravated driving while intoxicated and driving while intoxicated. On March 16, Barrett pleaded guilty to the class E felony of aggravated driving while intoxicated.

According to First Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Ferrarese, Barrett is now a predicate felon because he was previously convicted of the class E felony of driving while intoxicated on Dec. 27, 2007 in Broome County Court.