Full Notification

In July 2014 officers from the Santa Barbara Police Department made 61 arrests for driving under the influence violations. 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.

6/1/14 at 12:59 a.m.: Benjamin Joseph Randall (age 49) was stopped by Drinking Driver Team Officer Denbrook on 200 W. Cota Street for making an unsafe turning movement. Upon contact Officer Denbrook noticed that Randall smelled strongly of alcohol, had slurred speech, and appeared to have urinated in his pants. Officer Denbrook conducted a DUI investigation during which Randall acknowledged drinking two or three beers, stating that he “pounded them,” and further saying, “I guess I’m a little buzzed”. Randall had difficulty completing field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest for DUI. He chose submit to a breath test which registered his BAC at .22 and .23. Randall was booked into County Jail.

6/1/14 at 3:45 a.m.: Jessica Aguirre Perez (age 19) was stopped by Officer Venable at the intersection of Voluntario Street and Cota Street. Officer Venable was on foot there, heard the sound of an engine racing, and saw Perez driving the associated vehicle nearby. As the car stopped for the stop sign at the intersection Officer Venable illuminated the passenger compartment with his flashlight and saw Perez holding had an open can of beer between her thighs. Officer Venable ordered Perez to pull over and she complied, however when he contacted her again he saw that she had poured the contents of the beer can onto the passenger side floorboard of her car. Officer Venable also detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Perez, who had a suspended driver’s license, was transporting three passengers who were all under the age of 21 and were all in possession of cans of beer. Officer Tudor arrived and conducted a DUI investigation on Perez who smelled of alcohol and appeared intoxicated. Officer Tudor determined that she was too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle and arrested her for DUI. Perez chose to submit to a breath test which registered her BAC at .10 and .09. Perez was later issued a citation at the Santa Barbara Police Department for DUI, driving on a suspended license, and being a driver in possession of alcohol. Perez’s companions were all issued citations at the scene for being passengers under the age of 21 in possession of alcohol. During the course of the investigation the registered owner of the vehicle Perez was driving arrived on foot and confirmed that he had loaned his vehicle to Perez. The registered owner was issued a citation for authorizing a person without a valid driver’s license to drive his car.

6/14/14 at 12:52 a.m.: Diego Armando Sosa (age 31) was driving erratically on Highway 101 which prompted a concerned citizen to follow him and call 9-1-1, believing that Sosa was impaired. The citizen followed Sosa off of the freeway and onto the 200 block of Santa Barbara Street until police arrived. Drinking Driver Team Officer Denbrook was called to investigate Sosa for DUI. Officer Denbrook noticed that Sosa displayed symptoms of intoxication including slurred speech. Sosa initially stated that he had not consumed any alcohol, but later he said he had consumed two pints of beer. Even later he amended his statement to having two pints of beer and taking two hits of marijuana. During the investigation it was discovered that Sosa had a water bottle filled with rum and Coke in his car with him. Officer Denbrook had Sosa perform several field sobriety tests which he failed to successfully complete. Sosa was determined to be too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle and was placed under arrest for DUI. Sosa chose to submit to a blood test which registered his BAC at .19. He was booked into County Jail.

6/16/14 at 8:06 p.m.: Adam Charles Brown (age 27) was involved in an injury hit-and-run accident when he collided with a motorcycle at State Street and Calle Palo Colorado. Brown fled the scene of the collision, which had been witnessed by several people. Two of the witnesses followed Brown and eventually blocked his vehicle until police could arrive. Several officers responded to the call. Officer Santillan contacted Brown who stated he was aware of the collision and said fled due to being scared. Officer Santillan noticed that Brown appeared intoxicated and conducted a DUI investigation. Brown initially stated that he had consumed three or four beers and three shots of whiskey; however later stated that he had four or five shots of whiskey. Officer Santillan had Brown perform several field sobriety tests which he failed to successfully complete. Brown was placed under arrest for DUI causing injury. He chose to submit to a breath test which registered his BAC at .24 and .24, three times the legal limit. Brown was booked into County Jail for DUI causing injury and hit-and-run causing injury with a bail amount of $100,000.00.

6/22/14 at 2:45 a.m.: Raul Garcia-Ordaz (age 36) was involved in an injury hit-and-run collision when he drove at a high rate of speed directly into the center of the Milpas Street roundabout without braking. The collision was witnessed by several people. Following the collision Garcia-Ordaz attempted to remove his unconscious passenger from his car. Garcia-Ordaz eventually fled the scene of the collision on foot and hid in some bushes. A citizen who had witnessed this directed firefighters and police officers to Garcia-Ordaz’s hiding place. Officer Corral contacted Garcia-Ordaz, noticed that he appeared very intoxicated, and conducted a DUI investigation. Garcia-Ordaz said he had consumed five beers prior to driving and stated he felt drunk. Garcia-Ordaz refused to cooperate with much of the investigation; eventually Officer Corral placed him under arrest for DUI. Garcia-Ordaz chose to submit to a blood test which registered his BAC at .25. Garcia-Ordaz was booked into County Jail for DUI causing injury, hit-and-run causing injury, and being an unlicensed driver with a bail amount of $100,000.00.

6/28/14 at 8:41 p.m.: Garland Wayne Blackwell Jr. (age 21) was involved in an injury hit-and-run accident near the intersection of Montecito Street and Castillo Street when he collided with a bicyclist and then fled the scene. Numerous officers responded to investigate and were directed by a witness to the 400 block of W. De La Guerra Street where Blackwell was located in his vehicle. It was discovered that Blackwell is currently on probation for DUI. Drinking Driver Team Officer Denbrook arrived and noticed that Blackwell appeared intoxicated and was unsteady on his feet. Blackwell initially denied being involved in the collision or consuming alcohol prior it; instead he stated that he had a 25 ounce drink after driving. Investigation ultimately determined however that Blackwell had been the driver in the collision and that he had consumed several shots of alcohol prior to driving. Blackwell was arrested for DUI and he chose to submit to a breath test which registered his BAC at .21 and .21. Blackwell was booked into County Jail for DUI causing injury, hit-and-run causing injury, and violation of probation with a bail amount of $100,000.00.