Lake Charles, Louisiana - On February 5th, Judge Michael Canaday imposed a 20-year prison sentence on Kayla S. Gaugh, a 33-year-old resident of Lake Charles, Louisiana following her conviction for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) as a fourth offense. The ruling was handed down after Gaugh was found guilty of driving under the influence, a serious offense that poses significant risks to public safety.

This is an update to: Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office Prosecutes Repeat Offender for DWI

The incident in question occurred in 2021 when Gaugh was observed driving her vehicle at an excessive speed, repeatedly crossing the center line of the road. Law enforcement officials conducted a traffic stop after noticing these erratic driving patterns. Upon their arrival, Gaugh failed the field sobriety tests administered by the officers, which are evaluations used to determine a driver's level of impairment. Her Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was found to be above the legal limit, confirming her intoxication at the time of the incident.

District Attorney Stephen Dwight emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "Driving under the influence is a reckless and dangerous crime that puts innocent lives at risk." He further noted that his office takes DWI and DUI offenses seriously, pledging to prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law. "There are no excuses for endangering the public, and we remain committed to holding those who make the decision to drive impaired accountable for their actions," Dwight added.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Conrad Huber and Sydney Mayeaux from the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office. The sentence reflects the legal system's stance on repeat offenders of impaired driving, aiming to deter such behavior and enhance community safety.