A 61-year-old Canyon Lake man pled guilty to two separate charges of driving while intoxicated with two or more previous convictions and was sentenced to 12 years in prison by Judge Stephanie Bascon of the 466th court.
In a statement today, the Comal County Criminal District Attorney’s Office said charges were “enhanced” from third-degree felonies to second-degree felonies based on Wade Ellis’s criminal history, which included two previous prison sentences for DWI convictions.
Recent charges stemmed from two separate incidents on Aug. 4, 2024 and Dec. 20, 2025.
Ellis was arrested in 2024 after a Comal County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputy saw a Ford F-150 drifting in the exit lane on IH-35 near Rueckle Road around 1 p.m. As the truck exited the interstate toward Schmidt Street, the driver nearly struck a concrete wall before hitting a curb and coming to a stop in the middle of the roadway.
The deputy said Ellis appeared extremely disoriented and unresponsive and was unable to answer questions coherently.
Deputies conducted standardized field sobriety tests. A blood sample later revealed the presence of amphetamine and methamphetamine but no alcohol.
In 2025, while out on bond for this previous DWI charge, Ellis was arrested again after becoming involved in a crash in the 3600 block of FM 2673.
According to a caller, Ellis’s vehicle had been swerving before it crossed into the opposite lane of traffic and struck another vehicle.
He provided several conflicting explanations for the crash. Another warrant was obtained for a blood test that later revealed the presence of amphetamine and methamphetamine but no alcohol.