Full Notification

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Lt. M. Kearney
DATE: 04/20/19 PHONE: (760) 839-4901

DUI Checkpoint Nets Four Arrests

The Escondido Police Department arrested four individuals while conducting a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on 04/19/19. Two subjects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. One of those drivers attempted to avoid the checkpoint and turned into the Police and Fire Headquarters and struck a post protecting the south security gate. The other two subjects were arrested for felony warrants. The checkpoint was located at Centre City Parkway and Decatur.

Following are additional results from this event:

1515 vehicles drove through the checkpoint.
795 vehicles were screened in primary.
44 vehicles were sent to secondary screening (drivers who could not produce a driver’s license or who were suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
36 total citations were issued during the checkpoint. (4 for suspended license and 24 for unlicensed driver, 3 for no insurance)
4 Field sobriety tests
2 Arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol
2 Warrant arrests. One of the warrants was a violation of felony DUI probation.
DUI educational material was distributed during the checkpoint

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Last year the Escondido Police Department investigated 90 DUI collisions that killed 4 people and injured 120 others.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be approximately $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.

The Escondido Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, can impair and result in a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs.

The Escondido Police Department will be conducting other DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Saturation Patrol throughout the year in our ongoing commitment to take suspected impaired drivers off our streets and highways, ultimately lowering the risk for deaths and injuries.

Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

###