Full Notification

The Simi Valley Traffic Bureau conducted an enforcement operation during this morning's rush hour commute. The enforcement effort was designed to identify drivers who commit acts that routinely cause injury collisions.

Sr. Officer Kevin VanFleet observed a vehicle travelling at 54 miles per hour in a posted 40 miles per hour zone along Royal Avenue near Corto Street. At that speed, the vehicle is travelling at 79.2 feet per second, which makes it very difficult for a driver to stop safely for a sudden danger that appears in the roadway.

The driver, 27 year-old Nicole Donahue from Simi Valley, was on her way to work. Sr. Officer VanFleet is a Drug Recognition Expert and observed signs and symptoms of alcohol impairment. Upon further evaluation and investigation, he arrested Donahue for having a .09% blood alcohol level. Her vehicle was impounded and she was booked in the Ventura County Jail. Although she said she last consumed alcohol the prior evening, a ¾ consumed bottle of “Fireball” cinnamon whiskey was located in her purse in the vehicle.

DUI is not just a night time offense. As school is set to begin this week on Wednesday we are reminding all our drivers to separate alcohol or drug use and the act of operating a motor vehicle. If anyone believes they are sharing the roadway with an impaired driver, please contact the police department without delay. Together, we can keep our community safe.

The four officers working the enforcement event were part of an ongoing effort sponsored by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to assist Simi Valley Police in reducing deaths, injuries and DUI / Drug related traffic collisions.