A Casper man remains in critical condition nearly a month after being dragged for more than a mile underneath a sport utility vehicle.

Jeff Irene is still on a ventilator and in a medically-induced coma in the intensive care unit of Wyoming Medical Center, his sister, Kim Irene, said Wednesday.

More surgeries for Jeff Irene are scheduled for this week, she added.

Irene suffered massive internal injuries while being dragged underneath a Chevrolet Tahoe on Dec. 30. Prosecutors have charged Doug Downs, the man who was allegedly driving the Tahoe, with aggravated assault and driving under the influence causing serious bodily injury.

Police say the Tahoe struck Irene in the parking lot of a Casper bar and dragged him for more than a mile through town. A few hours before the incident, a state trooper arrested Downs on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The case has raised questions about how county jails in Wyoming should deal with drunken driving suspects who are still intoxicated but have the money to post bond for their release. About an hour before the incident, Downs was released from jail on $550 bond following his earlier drunken driving arrest.

In Natrona County, drunken driving suspects are required to stay in jail to sober up - unless someone, such as a bail bondsman or family member, is willing to accept responsibility for them. In the wake of the dragging, law enforcement officials are seeking legislation that would require jails to keep drunken driving suspects in custody until the are sober.

A preliminary hearing for Downs is scheduled for this morning in Natrona County Circuit Court. However, it's unclear whether it will take place. Downs has the right to waive the hearing.

Reach Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com.