Three-time drunken-driving convict Bruce Stanko of Hampton Township, Allegheny County, continues to lament business problems and family issues as suitable justification for early release from prison.

But Butler County Judge George Hancher's refusal Monday to grant him early parole reiterated an important message not only to Stanko but to all drivers who opt to operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated: A "sob story" isn't going to elicit pity from the court.

That is the correct message.

It was Stanko's car that collided with a car driven by Linda Jenkins on Bonniebrook Road in Summit Township, resulting in the deaths of Jenkins and her unborn son.

While Stanko was acquitted of homicide by vehicle, he was convicted of driving drunk for the third time and was handed a 1- to 5-year prison sentence.

On Monday, having served eight months of that sentence, Stanko was back in court telling Hancher that his multimillion-dollar pharmaceutical company, U.S. Pharmacare of Erie County, was failing.

In addition, he told the judge that his oldest son had dropped out of college to try to keep the business from failing, that his youngest son had joined the Air Force and was deployed, and that his daughter was the victim of an assault a month ago.

He said it was essential that he be released to allow him to deal with his private and business crises.

But Hancher didn't cave in to Stanko's purported problems; to have done otherwise would have been wrong.

Stanko should have learned his lesson after his first DUI conviction. He didn't and was subsequently arrested and convicted a second time. The fact that two other people died at a time when Stanko should not have been behind the wheel of his car — his third DUI offense — closes all of the doors that might have existed for compassion.

Hancher was right in telling Stanko that he would have to serve at least the state mandatory minimum sentence before there would be any opportunity for him to be released. Considering that two lives were lost in the crash in question, it would not be unreasonable for the court to order Stanko to stay behind bars for even a longer stint.

People who aren't reluctant about driving while intoxicated should reflect on Stanko's current, deserved predicament. They should ask themselves how a DUI conviction and possible imprisonment would impact their lives, jobs and family circumstances.

Stanko is learning firsthand; by making the right choice, others could avoid a similar learning experience.

Butler County judges should continue to take a hard stance against DUI offenders.