On October 22, 2024, a Comal County jury sentenced Joseph Haren to Life in Prison for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) with two or more previous convictions for the same offense.
The case stemmed from an incident on September 8, 2022, when Haren, who had been drinking on the river, drove erratically on the highway, prompting numerous 911 calls. Witnesses reported that he tailed several vehicles, rear-ended one, left behind his front license plate, and crashed into a dumpster, causing over $1,000 in damages.
Surveillance footage captured Haren's vehicle crashing into the dumpster, severely damaging the front end. Police found him at an apartment complex nearby, where he displayed signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and swaying. After agreeing to a blood draw, his alcohol concentration was determined to be 0.231, nearly three times the legal limit.
At trial on October 21, 2024, Haren pled guilty, acknowledging his extensive history of DWI offenses, including prior convictions on April 29, 1986, April 5, 1993, and April 24, 2007. He also admitted to being on parole for a 25-year sentence from 2017 for a previous DWI offense.
The jury was presented with evidence from witnesses, surveillance video, and police interactions captured on body-worn cameras. They learned about Haren's six DWI convictions, including incidents involving a motorcycle and a boat, and the potential dangers he posed to the public.
During closing arguments, the defense urged the jury to consider Haren's age and to impose the minimum sentence. However, the prosecution emphasized the risk he posed to the community, leading the jury to assess Haren's punishment at life in prison, with a deadly weapon finding. He will be required to serve 30 years before becoming eligible for parole.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jennifer Feldman and Karlei Neufeld. The District Attorney’s office expressed gratitude to the witnesses who reported Haren's dangerous driving and to the jury for their role in safeguarding the citizens of Comal County and Texas from habitual intoxicated driving.
