Man Charged in Snohomish County had 6 DUIs

By Diana Hefley
Herald Writer

LYNNWOOD — A Snohomish man first told a Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy he drank just one beer before climbing behind the wheel of his pickup truck.

He later changed the count. He had three beers.

Kelly Jay Zellman reeked of alcohol, slurred his words when he talked and stumbled out of his truck, a sheriff’s sergeant reported.

A breath test turned up a blood alcohol level of 0.203 — well over the 0.08 legal limit.

Prosecutors say since 1985 Zellman has racked up six drunken driving convictions, plus eight felonies and 39 misdemeanor convictions.

Zellman was charged Thursday with drug possession, a felony.

He turned 42 last month.

His latest brush with the law happened Jan. 4 as he was driving down Highway 99, court papers said.

A sheriff’s sergeant saw him drive across two lanes of traffic, make a U-turn and head the opposite direction. The driver turned off the highway, swerving into oncoming traffic. Zellman eventually stopped at an apartment complex, where he parked his truck across two spaces.

Zellman stumbled out of his truck. He first ignored the officer’s commands to show his hands. Instead, he attempted to get back in the truck, court papers said.

The sergeant asked Zellman if he’d been drinking. He said he’d had one beer.

He handed over his identification card and told the sergeant his license was suspended.

The sergeant learned from a dispatcher that Zellman had a warrant for his arrest. He was wanted for failing to pay child support.

Zellman, well-acquainted with jail, didn’t want to be arrested. He pulled away from the sergeant as he tried to handcuff him, court papers said.

The sergeant radioed for back-up. In the meantime, a bystander helped the sergeant handcuff Zellman.

Zellman was searched and that’s when police allegedly found eight oxycodone pills inside his pocket.

He pleaded not guilty to the drug charge Friday in Snohomish County Superior Court.

For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com