Enge pleads in DUI case

Carson City School Board Member Joe Enge pleaded guilty this morning to drunken driving.

Justice of the Peace John Tatro sentenced Enge from one to three years probation.

Tatro also suspended a sentence of 179 days in jail on the condition that Enge complete DUI school, attend a victim impact panel, seek counseling, and successfully complete formal probation with the Department of Alternative Sentencing.

"I pled guilty because I am guilty," said Enge.

After the hearing, the former Carson High School history teacher said the charge was a wake-up call for him to face his problem with alcohol.

"Everything happens for a reason," he said.

Enge, 46, was arrested Jan. 31 after an officer spotted him eastbound on Highway 50 East without the headlights of his minivan on at 3 a.m.

When deputies tried to stop him, Enge allegedly drove another 2.5 miles at about 40 mph with at least three marked patrol units following before pulling over.

A blood test revealed his blood alcohol content was .310 " nearly four times the legal limit.