Councilman Zack Reed Sentenced For Drunken Driving

CLEVELAND - Cleveland City Councilman Zachary Reed was sentenced Thursday to 10 days in jail for driving under the influence.

Judge Mary Grace Trimboli gave Reed 60 days in jail, but suspended 50 of them. He also must attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings twice a week until December, and he will have to take random drug tests twice a month.

Reed will lose his license for a year, but will get to drive for his job. His car will have a yellow drunken driver license plate.

Reed said he has been given a second chance and will use it warn others about drunken driving.

"I was blessed not to have killed anyone. I was blessed not to have harmed myself. Now I have to take that blessing and talk about that to other individuals," Reed said.

He must report to jail on Aug. 10.

He pleaded no contest earlier this month to drunken driving charges.

Cleveland police arrested him on Nov. 21 near East 139th Street and Kinsman, saying he was passed out behind the wheel of his car with the engine running and his foot on the brake.

This was Reed's second DUI arrest in two years, and it forced him into treatment.

He attended AA meetings after his arrest, and told NewsChannel5 that 28 days at the Cleveland Clinic made him a better person physically, mentally and spiritually, and he believes it will make him a better councilman.
Reed represents Ward 3.