DUI Round-Up, 34 Arrests in April 2014
In April 2014 officers from the Santa Barbara Police Department made 34 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.
4/2/14 at 10:28 p.m.: Patrick Lee Pastoret (age 48) was driving in the area of Carrillo Street and Kenwood Road when he was stopped by Officer Morton for having an inoperative headlight. Officer Morton contacted Pastoret and immediately noticed that he had slurred, thick speech and was displaying signs of intoxication. When asked how much alcohol he had consumed, Pastoret denied drinking any alcohol prior to driving. Officer Morton was concerned that Pastoret was too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle and subsequently called Drinking Driver Team Officer Denbrook to respond and evaluate Pastoret. Officer Denbrook arrived and conducted a DUI investigation. Pastoret continued to deny any alcohol consumption, but did state that he taken several prescription medications such as Vicodin, Librium, and Lexipro. Officer Denbrook had Pastoret complete several field sobriety tests and at the conclusion of the investigation determined that he was too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle. Pastoret was placed under arrest for DUI and chose to submit to a blood test. When interviewed following his arrest Pastoret told Officer Denbrook that he was aware that he was too intoxicated to drive and stated that he had consumed at least ten alcoholic drinks prior to driving. Pastoret was transported to Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital for a blood test which registered his BAC at .22, almost three times the legal limit. Pastoret was booked into County Jail.
4/4/14 at 1:20 a.m.: Cody Kekoa Prater (age 20) was found driving a truck that had just been stolen from the area of 900 E. Canon Perdido Street. Officer Venable was in the area when Dispatch broadcast that a truck had been stolen. Officer Venable located the stolen vehicle, conducted a traffic stop, and saw Prater to be the driver and sole occupant. Prater initially identified himself with false identification given to him by a friend in order to get into bars. Prater was investigated for DUI by DDT Officer Denbrook and found to be far too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle. Prater stated he had consumed several drinks at EOS Lounge prior to stealing the vehicle and driving. Prater had tampered with the ignition of the stolen vehicle and damaged it; additionally, when Prater initially stole the truck he drove through a locked chain-link fence causing damage to the fence and another vehicle that was hit by it. Prater submitted to a breath test which registered his BAC at .17 and .16. and was booked into County Jail on the following charges: auto theft, DUI, vandalism, and false personation.
4/4/14 at 10:30 p.m.: Aaron Byron Foulk (age 21) was involved in a collision in the area of State Street and Yanonali Street. Foulk fled the scene and a description of his vehicle was broadcast by Dispatch. Witnesses on-scene described Foulk’s vehicle as traveling so fast on State Street that it had become airborne after crossing the railroad tracks; Foulk then lost control of his car and hit a curb and a fire hydrant, causing the fire hydrant to become dislodged and water to geyser. Santa Barbara City Fire responded to shut down the water flow. DDT Officer Denbrook heard the broadcast and was attempting to locate Foulk when he saw Foulk and his wet car in the area of Montecito Street and Castillo Street. Officer Denbrook conducted a traffic stop and contacted Foulk who was the sole occupant of the suspect vehicle. It was determined that Foulk had been the driver that had fled the scene of the collision. Officer Denbrook noticed that Foulk appeared extremely intoxicated and was having difficulty following basic instructions. Officer Denbrook conducted a DUI investigation during which Foulk stated that he had consumed six drinks prior to driving. Officer Denbrook had to stop several of the tests due to Foulk’s extreme intoxication and inability to complete them without risking injury to himself. Foulk was placed under arrest for DUI and he submitted to a breath test which registered his BAC at .22 and .22. Foulk was booked into County Jail for DUI and hit-and-run.
4/5/14 at 2:34 a.m.: Marco Venegas-Rodriguez (age 27) was stopped by Officer Barriga for a parking violation on 3800 Calle Real. Venegas-Rodriguez attempted to drive away when he saw police approach. Officer Barriga contacted Venegas-Rodriguez and noticed that he displayed a strong odor of alcohol and bloodshot watery eyes. Officer Barriga requested Drinking Driver Team Officer Denbrook respond to evaluate Venegas-Rodriguez for DUI. Officer Denbrook conducted a DUI investigation during which Venegas-Rodriguez stated that he had only consumed one beer more than five hours prior. Officer Denbrook determined that Venegas-Rodriguez was too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle and placed him under arrest for DUI. Venegas-Rodriguez chose to submit to a blood test which registered his BAC at .17. Venegas-Rodriguez is currently on probation for DUI; he was booked into County Jail.
4/6/14 at 8:18 p.m.: Alex Deramus (age 22) was the subject of a 9-1-1 call from citizens who observed him driving erratically and were concerned that he was too intoxicated to safely drive. The citizens later explained to the investigating officer that they had observed Deramus nearly collide with several parked cars, drive through a stop sign without stopping, and make unsafe turns. Officer Hesketh stopped Deramus on 900 W. Mission Street. Upon contacting Deramus Officer Hesketh could smell an odor of alcohol emanating from his vehicle; however Deramus denied drinking. Officer Hesketh noticed that Deramus was exhibiting symptoms of intoxication and conducted a DUI investigation. Officer Hesketh determined that Deramus was far too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle and placed him under arrest for DUI. Deramus chose submit to a breath test which registered his BAC at .20 and .20. Deramus was issued a citation for DUI and admitted into the Sobering Center.
4/7/14 at 6:51 p.m.: Linda Ann Frey (age 56) was involved in a hit-and-run collision when her vehicle sideswiped another car. Frey continued driving away while the victim followed and called 9-1-1. Frey drove to her residence where the victim contacted her and told her that the police had been called. Frey entered her house just prior to police arrival. The victim and several witnesses stated that Frey appeared to be intoxicated. Officer Sipes contacted Frey who stated that she was unaware that she had been in a collision. Officer Sipes noticed that Frey appeared very intoxicated; however Frey stated she had not consumed any alcohol. Officer Sipes conducted a DUI investigation and determined that Frey was too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle. Frey was placed under arrest for DUI and chose to submit to a blood test; her BAC registered .26, more than three times the legal limit. Frey was issued a citation for DUI and admitted into the Sobering Center.
Address/Location
Santa Barbara Police Department
215 East Figueroa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-897-2300
Riley L. Harwood
Public Information Officer
[email protected]
805-897-2320