Repeat drunk driver who was focus of yearlong 2News Investigation released from prison

A convicted drunk driver, Doug Stewart Griffith, who was the subject of extensive 2News Investigations, has been released on parole from the Utah State Prison in Gunnison. Griffith's release comes after the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole approved an interstate compact, allowing him to be supervised in Washington State, where he plans to move. He will be required to report to parole officials there, who will coordinate with Utah's Adult Probation and Parole.

Griffith was released at 9:16 a.m. on Tuesday, and his initial parole date was set for March 25, 2025, during a board hearing in January 2024. He will be under standard parole conditions, which include GPS monitoring and alcohol sensor monitoring for the first 180 days at his own expense. His release was delayed longer than his sentencing guidelines due to concerns over his risk to the public, reflected in the aggravating factors of his case.

Having spent a year and a half in prison, Griffith faced additional time because of his prior DUI convictions and other offenses, including unlawfully installing a tracking device on a police sergeant's vehicle. His release was contingent upon completing residential substance abuse treatment, which was a requirement leading up to his parole.

The investigations conducted by 2News revealed the extent of Griffith's repeated offenses, showcasing body camera footage from police encounters in Utah, Idaho, and Arizona. In several incidents, he attempted to evade arrest by using questionable tactics, such as doing push-ups to prove his sobriety and pretending to lose consciousness. His history culminated in successful prosecution for aggravated DUI, which led to his imprisonment.

As of now, it remains unclear when Griffith will finalize his move to Washington State after his parole release.