Nearly two years after the imposition of the sentence, Duran reportedly told Riverton Justice Court Judge Darla Serassio he had completed the program. Serassio directed Duran to provide her with a completion certificate, which he has so far failed to do.

It is unclear whether Duran's extensive DUI history was considered before charging and sentencing in Riverton. Tucker Hansen, a contract city prosecutor for Riverton who handled the case, was unavailable to comment — as was Riverton's Serassio.

Curbing repeat DUI offenders has been much discussed in recent months as grave problems with the state's ability to track, sentence and treat repeat drunken drivers has come under media and legislative scrutiny.

"This is the kind of thing that has been a frustration to prosecutors, to the Legislature and everybody who has tried to solve this problem," said Rep. Lamont Tyler, R-Salt Lake City.

In July's special session of the Legislature, Tyler sponsored a bill aimed at the complex problem of tracking offenses.

Tyler's legislation requires all justice courts, run by cities and counties, to collect and report the same DUI data currently collected by state courts. It also establishes a single, statewide database within the Utah Department of Public Safety where DUI records and data are stored, and creates accountability by requiring the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to prepare an annual DUI report based on information received from the courts.

"The new requirements for electronic reporting should make it possible for all of the justice courts to have the information they need to prevent this kind of thing," Tyler said.

According to a Deseret News review of court records, Duran's first DUI arrest came in South Salt Lake in 1988. During the 1990s, he was arrested seven times for investigation of driving under the influence. The arrests came from several jurisdictions including Murray, Salt Lake County, Beaver, Bountiful and Sandy.

In December 1999, Duran was convicted of DUI after causing an injury accident in Murray. Detective Rob Hall said Duran rear-ended a vehicle, which was then pushed into the bumper of another vehicle.

Duran got out of his car and tried to run away from the scene but was chased down by officers, Hall said.

In addition to his DUI convictions, Duran was arrested for investigation of having an open container in a vehicle in May 1994 and January 1997, intoxication in May 1994 and disorderly conduct in November 1995.

---

Contributing: Angie Welling

E-MAIL: preavy@desnews.com; lucy@desnews.com