Several passing motorists tried to warn him by honking their horns and flashing their lights, ... And he continued, exit after exit.

It's not a dead community at all.

He realized the case was very strong and there was no purpose in going to trial.

I wouldn't call it hedging bets. I thought it was giving a jury the opportunity to decide the correct crime to convict a defendant for.

The driver passed other motorists who were trying to warn him, blowing their horns, flashing their lights, pulling over to the side of the road, ... But he continued, exit after exit.

What I want to impress upon the court is that this is not casual drinking, ... This is conscious criminal conduct.