TROY — The final hearing regarding the drunken driving case involving the wife of Miami County Sheriff Dave Duchak was held Tuesday morning in Miami County Municipal Court.
Sheri L. Duchak, 52, was sentenced to 180 days in jail and fined $1,075. However, Thomas Hanna, a visiting judge from Kettering who presided over case, suspended 87 days with 97 days credited for successfully completing an inpatient alcohol recovery program.
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Hanna also suspended $700 of the fine, reducing the amount Duchak has to pay to $375, and she got no probation, also because she successfully completed the treatment program.
Duchak’s driving privileges were suspended for one year, going back to the date of the offense. The judge will reinstate her driving privilege upon request.
The incident occurred on Aug. 8, when a Piqua police officer at Pisenbarger Park saw a woman, later identified as Duchak, drive across the center line of South Street and strike a curb, according to a police report. She then drove across a sidewalk, through the grass and over the parking lot curb.
Her vehicle also hit a grass island barrier with a concrete curb before pulling up to a cruiser parked in the parking lot. The officer reported Duchak appeared confused with bloodshot and glassy eyes, according to the report.
During the incident, Duchak told the officer that her husband is the Miami County sheriff, and repeatedly told the officer to call “Bruce,” referring to Piqua Police Chief Bruce Jamison, and said they would lose their jobs, the report stated.
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According to statement of fact, Duchak’s blood alcohol exceeded the legal limit of .08 at the time of her arrest.
During her hearing Tuesday, Duchak entered a plea of no contest to a reduced charge of DUI for a first time offender.
“I apologize, especially to my family, and to the who Piqua Police Department for their professionalism dealing with the situation,” Duchak said in court.
Hanna accept her apology and complimented her “on the efforts you have made.”