Man with three priors facing 4th DWI

HOLLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) - A Cheektowaga man with three prior DWI convictions in less than 10 years is now charged with driving drunk, speeding, and having pills in his car.

Joshua Brown was arrested for drunk driving back in February of 2003. It happened again a few months later. And again in 2007. Now Brown, 33, has been arrested for the forth time for felony DWI in Holland just before 2 a.m. Thursday morning.

In a statement, Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard says Brown's blood alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit.

Former DA Frank Clark said, "Just because they're arrested and convicted, they don't stop drinking and they don't stop driving. It's a disease."

Advocates against drunk driving say there is a new state law in place to get reckless drivers off the streets for good. John Sullivan with Erie County's STOP DWI says recently New York State introduced Charlotte's Law.

MORE | Learn more about the law here

It's been in effect for only about a month. It's purpose is to get repeat reckless drivers with three or more alcohol or drug related convictions in the last 25 years off the streets forever.

Sullivan explained, "This is a DMV administrative function. It's not a criminal function so it has nothing to do with the courts."

Sullivan thinks that Brown could be eligible for Charlotte's Law and might lose his license for the rest of his life.

"But there is a problem with this law. This is not a cure all. There's no physical barrier to someone driving a vehicle," he noted.

Brown was processed in Springville and taken to the Erie County Holding Center to await his arraignment in Holland Court.