Full Notification

In February 2014 officers from the Santa Barbara Police Department made 24 arrests for driving under the influence violations.  Numerous arrests are made each month when concerned citizens call 9-1-1 after witnessing possible DUI drivers.  The SBPD would like to thank the responsible citizens who take the time to call and report suspected drunk drivers.  The following is information on a few of last month’s cases.

2/1/14 at 3:30 p.m.: Michael Alan Reid (age 48) drove from his home to the parking lot at 19 S. Milpas Street.  After exiting his vehicle Reid fell to the ground and was unable to stand due to his level of intoxication.  A citizen who had observed Reid drive up, exit his vehicle, and pass out called 9-1-1.  Officer Freytag responded and contacted Reid who admitted to driving and being “drunk.”  Officer Freytag conducted a DUI investigation and determined that Reid was far too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle.  Reid was placed under arrest for DUI and he chose to submit to a breath test which registered his BAC at .33 and .33.  Reid was issued a citation for DUI and admitted into the Sobering Center.

2/7/14 at 1:10 a.m.: Katherine Nathalie Ulloa (age 22) was driving through the intersection at State Street and Ortega Street when Officer Corbett and Officer Cardana observed her commit several Vehicle Code violations including running a red light, turning from an improper position, and nearly hitting two pedestrians who were legally crossing the street.  Officer Corbett contacted Ulloa who had stopped her vehicle in the parking lot of a nearby bar.  Officer Corbett immediately noticed that there were open containers of alcohol on the center console of the vehicle and that Ulloa was displaying symptoms of intoxication.  Officer Corbett conducted a DUI investigation of Ulloa who stated that she had consumed one 24-ounce Straw-Ber-Rita drink.  Officer Corbett determined that Ulloa was too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle and placed her under arrest for DUI.  Ulloa chose to submit to a blood test which registered her BAC at .13.  Ulloa was issued a citation for DUI.

2/8/14 at 1:08 a.m.: Melanie Lynn Herschberger-Perez (age 22) drove through a red light at Anacapa Street and Gutierrez Street.  Officer Corral observed the Vehicle Code violation and conducted a traffic stop.  Officer Corral noticed that Herschberger-Perez had an odor of alcohol about her and was displaying symptoms of intoxication.  Herschberger-Perez stated that she had consumed one margarita prior to driving.  Officer Corral conducted a DUI investigation during which Herschberger-Perez performed very poorly, having significant difficulties with the instructions and completing the field sobriety tests.  Officer Corral determined that Herschberger-Perez was far too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle and placed her under arrest for DUI.  Herschberger-Perez chose to submit to a breath test which registered her BAC at .21 and .20.  She was issued a citation for DUI and admitted into the Sobering Center.

2/9/14 at 12:26 a.m.:  Allison Carol Chaplin (age 35) was driving into the Ralph’s Grocery parking lot off of 1000 Chapala Street when she collided with a curb.  A citizen observed Chaplin’s driving and then subsequently saw Chaplin exit her vehicle and nearly fall.  The citizen called 9-1-1 as she was concerned that Chaplin was intoxicated and unsafe to drive.  Officer Kamin contacted Chaplin and a passenger and was advised by Chaplin that she was an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor for her passenger.  Officer Kamin noticed that Chaplin appeared intoxicated and conducted a DUI investigation.  Chaplin stated adamantly that she had not consumed alcohol and reiterated that she was an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor for her passenger.  Officer Kamin had Chaplin perform several field sobriety tests which Chaplin failed to successfully complete.  Officer Kamin determined that Chaplin was far too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle and placed her under arrest for DUI.  Chaplin chose to submit to a breath test which registered her BAC at .25 and .24.  Chaplin was issued a citation for DUI.

2/10/14 at 4:51 a.m.:  Cole Jeffrey Snyder (age 24) was involved in a single-vehicle collision in the area of Cabrillo Boulevard and Los Patos Way.  Officers Tudor, Garcia, and Montag were dispatched to respond to the call which was reported as an injury collision.   The crash resulted in major damage to several trees and the involved vehicle.  Officer Tudor noticed that Snyder had bloodshot watery eyes, smelled strongly of alcohol, and appeared to be intoxicated.  Paramedics treated Snyder at the scene and then transported him to Cottage Hospital for further evaluation.  Officer Tudor went to the hospital to continue with a DUI investigation of Snyder.  Investigation revealed that Snyder had been sober for 12 days prior to the collision and that he had been drinking in places away from his residence because he did not want to drink at home.  Snyder became uncooperative with both Officer Tudor and the hospital staff, cursing at them and calling them obscene names.  Snyder refused to participate in the DUI investigation and refused to answer any questions.  Officer Tudor determined that Snyder was too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle and placed him under arrest for DUI.  Snyder chose to submit to both a breath test and a blood test; his BAC registered .23 and .23 on the breath test and .24 on the blood test.  Snyder was released from Cottage Hospital and booked into County Jail.

2/10/14 at 9:47 p.m.: Maria Del Carmen Garcia (age 51) was driving in the area of Sola Street and Castillo Street when she failed to stop for a stop sign, nearly colliding with a Santa Barbara City Fire Engine.  Maria Garcia then pulled into a driveway nearby, prompting Fire Captain Berman to stop and contact her.  Captain Berman stated that Maria Garcia was carrying a bag of beers which she dropped, causing several bottles to break.  Maria Garcia admitted to drinking prior to driving which prompted Captain Berman to notify the police.  Officer Garcia arrived and contacted Maria Garcia who initially stated that the fire engine had been honking its horn at her for no reason.  Officer Garcia explained to Maria Garcia that she had failed to stop for the stop sign at Sola Street and Castillo Street, at which time Maria Garcia stated that a stop sign did not exist there.  Due to the odor of alcohol about her and the symptoms of intoxication displayed by Maria Garcia, Officer Garcia decided to perform a DUI investigation, during which Maria Garcia stated that she had consumed one glass of pink wine prior to driving.  Officer Garcia completed the DUI investigation and determined that Maria Garcia was too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle.  He placed her under arrest and she chose to submit to a breath test which registered her BAC at .13 and .14.  Maria Garcia was issued a citation for DUI, unlicensed driver, and the stop sign violation.