A Kalispell man pleaded guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to his fourth offense of drunk driving.

Jason Roy Gronley, 36, was stopped by a Kalispell police officer in the early morning hours of April 6 after he was seen taking a wide turn during which he drove across the grass.

The officer reported he could smell alcohol on Gronley, and that Gronley slurred his speech. Gronley failed field sobriety tests and refused to provide a breath sample. While arresting Gronley, the officer saw empty beer cans in Gronley’s truck.

Gronley failed more field sobriety tests at the police department before refusing to provide a breath sample, at which point a warrant was obtained to take a blood sample. That sample eventually showed Gronley’s blood-alcohol level to be .227 percent, nearly three times the legal limit.

It was also reported during the hearing that Gronley collected several violations while taking part in the 24/7 Sobriety Program, and that a motion for revocation of Gronley’s release had been filed in April.

A felony drunk driving conviction is punishable with 13 months in a residential alcohol treatment program run by the Montana Department of Corrections, a consecutive, suspended sentence of five years either to the corrections department or the Montana State Prison, or between 13 months and five years of incarceration with the corrections department if the defendant has already been placed in treatment due to a prior conviction.

It also carries a fine of between $1,000 and $10,000.

A sentencing hearing has been set for Dec. 12.