I said, “Don’t get high and drive” Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer During our trip to Maricopa. “There’s something in almost every fatality that happens in this county.”

Volkmer ran a list of substances associated with fatalities, including alcohol, methamphetamine and cannabis.

“The majority of car accidents (here) are fatal,” Volkmer said. “Drug use and abuse are involved.”

Speeding and drug use endanger everyone. Especially since there is only one main road in and out of town, Volkmer said. He thought that was why the city’s drunk driving numbers were inflated.

Volkmer called the 347 “Autobahn”, a mockery of Germany’s infamous speedless highways.

Volkmer explained that the number of DUI felonies is “exponentially higher” than in other parts of Arizona.

About 12 percent of all felony charges filed in Pinal County this year are for DUI charges, compared with about 3 percent statewide.

Last year, county attorneys handled 243 DUI felony cases, up about 75% from 2021. There have been 182 DUI felony cases so far this year.

In Arizona, a felony DUI is defined as DUI with an invalid license, a previous DUI conviction, with a child in the vehicle, or driving in the wrong direction.

Pinal County Attorney’s Office spokesman Michael Pelton said an aggravation or felony conviction for DUI carries a 120-day prison sentence. Pelton noted that many cases result in plea bargaining, meaning the 120-day sentence doesn’t always apply. Penalties can vary widely depending on the situation.

Related: County Attorney Reports Significant Increase in Felon DUIs – InMaricopa