A 40-year sentence for repeat Sherman DWI offender

William Bates Jr. of Sherman, Texas, has been sentenced to 40 years in state prison following his eighth conviction for driving while intoxicated. Sherman police arrested Bates in September 2025 after finding him in his truck with a blood alcohol concentration four times the legal limit. The severe sentence reflects the state's strict stance on repeat offenders and the ongoing efforts to improve road safety in the region.