Man convicted after fourth DWI charge

NEW HANOVER COUNTY — It’s the fourth time he’s been charged with drunken driving, but the first time the charges stuck.

Efrain Rodriguez pleaded guilty in New Hanover County court Monday for driving while impaired in August 2006.

Rodriguez is the same man who killed Tracy Kharbat back in 2002 after running over her in the North Chase community.

Prosecutors dropped the DWI charges in that case because they couldn’t prove Rodriguez was drunk.

For this offense Rodriguez loses his license for a year, gets two years probation and community service.