Hardin County — A 61-year-old Southeast Texas woman is being held in the Hardin County Jail after being charged with her ninth DWI, along with evading detention with a motor vehicle.

Christina Marie Lynch was pulled over last Thursday night after other drivers reported her driving erratically and running into a guardrail. Authorities said Lynch was driving down U.S. 69 in Beaumont heading toward Lumberton when Lumberton police stopped her at Walton and Highway 69.

Under Texas law, a DWI becomes “automatically” a third-degree felony after a third DWI charge. The state also has harsher punishment for habitual offenders who could face 25 years to life in prison.

Attorney and former state judge Layne Walker said, “I would say she’s lucky, but the truth is, we’re lucky, that she hadn’t run over and killed us or our loved ones. And, it’s time for it. Stop.”

Walker said Lynch’s record indicates she was driving without a driver’s license. “This particular lady. From what I’ve seen on her rap sheet, clearly indicated that, she was driving without a driver’s license, so they took her license away, but she’s still driving a vehicle. But if she’s in the penitentiary, she cannot operate a motor vehicle,” he said.

Walker said repeat DWI offenders can face enhanced punishment if prosecutors pursue habitual offender charges. “Under state law, if she’s got two prior sequenced real felonies, meaning something other than a state jail third degree or higher than absolutely, she can be held accountable as a habitual offender, where the minimum range of punishment is 25 years to 99 years, or life,” he said.

Walker also criticized the system for allowing Lynch to continue driving despite multiple DWI charges. “Somebody didn’t their job somewhere along the journey in all the different counties that she’s been charged in. Somebody didn’t do their homework. You don’t you just don’t let people with this many convictions continue to go out and get in a car and drive again,” he said.

Walker said the legal tools exist, but accountability depends on public expectations. “Yes, we have plenty of tools there. The question is, is what does society dictate? That’s that’s really the question,” he said.

Lynch’s bail has been set at $600,000. As of now, she remains in the Hardin County Jail.