SAN DIEGO COUNTY — Over the long Christmas weekend, 67 people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in San Diego County, the California Highway Patrol said Monday.
The number of arrests fell from the prior year, when the total was 95, even though the period when data was collected — from Thursday evening through midnight Sunday — was two days longer than last year.
Meanwhile, San Diego County highway fatalities jumped this holiday season. Seven people died in the CHP’s jurisdiction, the agency said, compared to two in 2008.
CHP spokesman, Officer Larry Landeros, said he had no information about the nature of the fatalities.
Statewide, 1,104 people were arrested for driving under the influence during the holiday period, down from 1,397 the prior year. California saw 22 highway fatalities, compared to 37 in 2008.
Source
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
California DUI charge for death of unborn child considered
A New Year's Day accident around 3AM in the San Diego area took the life of a 6-month's pregnant woman and her unborn child.
Authorities have charged the suspect, 40-year-old Joseph Antony Venegas, with gross vehicular manslaughter and two counts of DUI causing injury. Arraignment for Venegas has been postponed because the driver was in medical isolation; he was only arraigned last Friday on the charges.
21-year-old Elaina Luquis-Ortiz and her unborn child, Romeo Fransisco, were both killed and two others were injured. Venegas was not charged in the death of the fetus, which is possible though not uniformly enforced in the state of California. The decision on this matter is pending.
Luquis-Ortiz was traveling home with her husband from a New Year's Eve party when they were called to assist another driver with a flat tire. She pulled her own car behind the disabled vehicle to await further assistance. At that point, a much larger Chevrolet Tahoe struck the parked car.
Luquis-Ortis died at the scene nearly immediately upon impact. The other passengers, who she was assisting, suffered serious injuries.
Source
Authorities have charged the suspect, 40-year-old Joseph Antony Venegas, with gross vehicular manslaughter and two counts of DUI causing injury. Arraignment for Venegas has been postponed because the driver was in medical isolation; he was only arraigned last Friday on the charges.
21-year-old Elaina Luquis-Ortiz and her unborn child, Romeo Fransisco, were both killed and two others were injured. Venegas was not charged in the death of the fetus, which is possible though not uniformly enforced in the state of California. The decision on this matter is pending.
Luquis-Ortiz was traveling home with her husband from a New Year's Eve party when they were called to assist another driver with a flat tire. She pulled her own car behind the disabled vehicle to await further assistance. At that point, a much larger Chevrolet Tahoe struck the parked car.
Luquis-Ortis died at the scene nearly immediately upon impact. The other passengers, who she was assisting, suffered serious injuries.
Source
Monday, February 15, 2010
More than a year later, Vincent Jackson continues to duck DUI charge
As the San Diego Chargers prepared to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round of the 2008 playoffs, receiver Vincent Jackson was arrested for DUI.
A year later, the case is still pending, as Brent Schrotenboer of the San Diego Union-Tribune recently pointed out.
And because Jackson has yet to plead guilty to or be convicted of the alleged crime, the league's procedure for suspending Jackson has not yet initiated. Which has allowed Jackson to avoid missing any time.
As a result, Jackson has played every game this season, and he has caught 68 passes for 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns.
The delay has arisen in part from the maneuverings of Jackson's lawyer, who has obtained multiple continuances of the case.
Still, with Jackson heading for restricted free agency, Jackson's interests would be better served to have this one behind him. Moving forward, it'll likely be a factor in the magnitude of any offers he receives, from the Chargers or any other teams.
Source
A year later, the case is still pending, as Brent Schrotenboer of the San Diego Union-Tribune recently pointed out.
And because Jackson has yet to plead guilty to or be convicted of the alleged crime, the league's procedure for suspending Jackson has not yet initiated. Which has allowed Jackson to avoid missing any time.
As a result, Jackson has played every game this season, and he has caught 68 passes for 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns.
The delay has arisen in part from the maneuverings of Jackson's lawyer, who has obtained multiple continuances of the case.
Still, with Jackson heading for restricted free agency, Jackson's interests would be better served to have this one behind him. Moving forward, it'll likely be a factor in the magnitude of any offers he receives, from the Chargers or any other teams.
Source
Sunday, November 15, 2009
CHP reports one death, 82 DUI arrests in San Diego County
The California Highway Patrol reported that one person died on San Diego County roadways during the first 60 hours of the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Drunken driving arrests were down, too, according to the CHP.
Two people died on local roads during the same time period last year, according to CHP Officer Jesse Udovich.
A motorcyclist, 37-year-old Mitchell Paul Pinder of Spring Valley, died Sunday morning when he lost control of his motorcycle and hit a metal guard rail while heading east on State Route 94 west of Barrett Lake Road in Dulzura, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office reported.
There were 82 drunken driving arrests between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday, compared to 110 in 2008. Statewide, 10 people died in crashes during the time period, down from 18 last year, Udovich said.
The officer said 1,262 people were arrested for drunken driving, down from 1,416 last year.
The number of fatalities includes all law enforcement jurisdictions statewide, while the drunken driving arrests are only those made by CHP officers.
Source
Drunken driving arrests were down, too, according to the CHP.
Two people died on local roads during the same time period last year, according to CHP Officer Jesse Udovich.
A motorcyclist, 37-year-old Mitchell Paul Pinder of Spring Valley, died Sunday morning when he lost control of his motorcycle and hit a metal guard rail while heading east on State Route 94 west of Barrett Lake Road in Dulzura, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office reported.
There were 82 drunken driving arrests between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday, compared to 110 in 2008. Statewide, 10 people died in crashes during the time period, down from 18 last year, Udovich said.
The officer said 1,262 people were arrested for drunken driving, down from 1,416 last year.
The number of fatalities includes all law enforcement jurisdictions statewide, while the drunken driving arrests are only those made by CHP officers.
Source
Thursday, October 15, 2009
State DUI Laws Shouldn't Apply To Pot Use
SAN DIEGO -- A San Diego attorney claims California driving under the influence laws should not be applied to marijuana usage, 10News reported.
While many have assumed that marijuana affects the ability to safely operate a vehicle, attorney Cole Casey said two federal studies do not support that.
Rudy Reyes has used marijuana for years after 70 percent of his body was burned in the 2003 Cedar fires."I constantly have pain," said Reyes.
Reyes said he has gotten behind the wheel with marijuana in his system and has been pulled over dozens of times.
"It had nothing to do with you swerving? Or running a red light?" asked 10News' Charisse Yu.
"The worse one I have yet to have is not having my little cell phone thingy on," said Reyes.
Casey represents people like Reyes, and he said while the California Department of Justice has found that marijuana impairs driving, the U.S. Department of Transportation's studies contradict this.
"There are two federal studies that have come to that conclusion that although marijuana can impact someone's short-term memory, when somebody is concentrating on the task of driving that really there was no measurable impact," said Casey.
Another study by the Department of Transportation showed that researchers found that "it appears not possible to conclude anything about a driver's impairment on the basis of his/her plasma concentration of THC."
Casey said the big problem is that THC, the active ingredient found in marijuana, stays in the body for up to 30 days.
"It's very difficult to pinpoint, 'Yes, somebody has ingested marijuana,' but are they 'impaired,'" said Casey.
While opponents said marijuana damages brain cells and respiratory systems, Reyes said other legal drugs are much worse.
"Marijuana is not where people are having most of their driving problems; most of them are alcohol," said Reyes.
In California, drivers can be arrested for driving under the influence while on any medication -- depending on how much is taken and whether it impairs driving ability.
Source
While many have assumed that marijuana affects the ability to safely operate a vehicle, attorney Cole Casey said two federal studies do not support that.
Rudy Reyes has used marijuana for years after 70 percent of his body was burned in the 2003 Cedar fires."I constantly have pain," said Reyes.
Reyes said he has gotten behind the wheel with marijuana in his system and has been pulled over dozens of times.
"It had nothing to do with you swerving? Or running a red light?" asked 10News' Charisse Yu.
"The worse one I have yet to have is not having my little cell phone thingy on," said Reyes.
Casey represents people like Reyes, and he said while the California Department of Justice has found that marijuana impairs driving, the U.S. Department of Transportation's studies contradict this.
"There are two federal studies that have come to that conclusion that although marijuana can impact someone's short-term memory, when somebody is concentrating on the task of driving that really there was no measurable impact," said Casey.
Another study by the Department of Transportation showed that researchers found that "it appears not possible to conclude anything about a driver's impairment on the basis of his/her plasma concentration of THC."
Casey said the big problem is that THC, the active ingredient found in marijuana, stays in the body for up to 30 days.
"It's very difficult to pinpoint, 'Yes, somebody has ingested marijuana,' but are they 'impaired,'" said Casey.
While opponents said marijuana damages brain cells and respiratory systems, Reyes said other legal drugs are much worse.
"Marijuana is not where people are having most of their driving problems; most of them are alcohol," said Reyes.
In California, drivers can be arrested for driving under the influence while on any medication -- depending on how much is taken and whether it impairs driving ability.
Source
Monday, September 28, 2009
San Diego DUI checkpoint cites 33
A DUI checkpoint in Chula Vista, California, has resulted in 33 citations and 25 vehicle impounds according to local police.
The checkpoint was in place from 6PM to 2AM Monday on the Eastlake Parkway. The checkpoint was part of the national DUI crackdown, "Over the Limit. Under Arrest." This national effort has granted funds through state departments of traffic safety for increased enforcement of DUI and vehicle-safety violations surrounding the Labor Day holiday.
California is one of nearly 40 states that allows DUI checkpoints. Other states, such as Texas, have determined they are violations of arrest procedures. In the Labor Day crackdown campaign, local law enforcement agencies are choosing whether to implement checkpoints or increase patrols on the road in order to step up enforcement.
Despite the high number of tickets, the checkpoint only ended in 1 arrest for drunk driving. The 25 vehicle impounds were for those drivers on the road without a valid license. Three drivers were arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
The majority of the DUI checkpoints initiated throughout the country have resulted in a high number of citations but a relatively low number of DUI arrests. Police did not issue a statement regarding the total number of vehicles checked on Sunday night, but 1 DUI arrest is likely less than 2% of the total vehicles stopped. The checkpoints are generally well-publicized, which can often lead to their lower success rate.
Chula Vista is the second-largest city in San Diego. DUI checkpoints are typically placed in high-traffic areas around bars, restaurants and other attractions. They are not typically placed directly in city centers to reduce the hassle that would put on both traffic flow and local businesses. However, it is common for 200-500 cars to be stopped on an average DUI checkpoint.
Source
The checkpoint was in place from 6PM to 2AM Monday on the Eastlake Parkway. The checkpoint was part of the national DUI crackdown, "Over the Limit. Under Arrest." This national effort has granted funds through state departments of traffic safety for increased enforcement of DUI and vehicle-safety violations surrounding the Labor Day holiday.
California is one of nearly 40 states that allows DUI checkpoints. Other states, such as Texas, have determined they are violations of arrest procedures. In the Labor Day crackdown campaign, local law enforcement agencies are choosing whether to implement checkpoints or increase patrols on the road in order to step up enforcement.
Despite the high number of tickets, the checkpoint only ended in 1 arrest for drunk driving. The 25 vehicle impounds were for those drivers on the road without a valid license. Three drivers were arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
The majority of the DUI checkpoints initiated throughout the country have resulted in a high number of citations but a relatively low number of DUI arrests. Police did not issue a statement regarding the total number of vehicles checked on Sunday night, but 1 DUI arrest is likely less than 2% of the total vehicles stopped. The checkpoints are generally well-publicized, which can often lead to their lower success rate.
Chula Vista is the second-largest city in San Diego. DUI checkpoints are typically placed in high-traffic areas around bars, restaurants and other attractions. They are not typically placed directly in city centers to reduce the hassle that would put on both traffic flow and local businesses. However, it is common for 200-500 cars to be stopped on an average DUI checkpoint.
Source
Monday, September 7, 2009
San Diego Jury: Police are Above the Law
After three days of deliberations, a jury San Diego — a militaristic community thoroughly besotted with people in state-issued costumes — acquitted police officer Frank White of felony gross negligent discharge of a firearm and a misdemeanor count of displaying a firearm in an “angry manner.”
The charges arose from a March 2008 “road rage” incident in which White shot Rachel Silva and her eight-year-old son. Silva had cut off White and backed into his car. She was shot twice in the arm and her son was hit once in the knee.
White, who was off-duty at the time and accompanied by his wife, initially claimed that he fired in “self-defense.” He later claimed that he fired his gun when Silva refused his demands to get out of her car. White never displayed a badge or identified himself as a police officer; witnesses to the shooting didn’t recognize the incident as a traffic stop or other enforcement action, but thought it was a domestic squabble.
Larry Ludlow, who has covered this case in the past, informs me: “During the trial, [White] lied several times and was caught in these lies, but the military-worshiping jurors didn’t care. They even swallowed the `fear of death’ excuse despite the difference in the size of the two vehicles — with [White's] vehicle being much larger.”
The case was also distorted by a grotesquely lenient charge: White should have been prosecuted for felonious assault with a deadly weapon, rather than “negligence.” In any case, owing to the fact that White was one of the state’s sanctified armed enforcers, he was acquitted of all charges and reinstated on the force.
Rachel Silva, on the other hand, admitted to being intoxicated and had the book thrown at her. She pleaded guilty to felony child endangerment and misdemeanor DUI charges. The only potentially positive aspect of this case is that Silva’s son will grow up with a usefully cynical attitude toward our tax-devouring “protectors.”
Source
The charges arose from a March 2008 “road rage” incident in which White shot Rachel Silva and her eight-year-old son. Silva had cut off White and backed into his car. She was shot twice in the arm and her son was hit once in the knee.
White, who was off-duty at the time and accompanied by his wife, initially claimed that he fired in “self-defense.” He later claimed that he fired his gun when Silva refused his demands to get out of her car. White never displayed a badge or identified himself as a police officer; witnesses to the shooting didn’t recognize the incident as a traffic stop or other enforcement action, but thought it was a domestic squabble.
Larry Ludlow, who has covered this case in the past, informs me: “During the trial, [White] lied several times and was caught in these lies, but the military-worshiping jurors didn’t care. They even swallowed the `fear of death’ excuse despite the difference in the size of the two vehicles — with [White's] vehicle being much larger.”
The case was also distorted by a grotesquely lenient charge: White should have been prosecuted for felonious assault with a deadly weapon, rather than “negligence.” In any case, owing to the fact that White was one of the state’s sanctified armed enforcers, he was acquitted of all charges and reinstated on the force.
Rachel Silva, on the other hand, admitted to being intoxicated and had the book thrown at her. She pleaded guilty to felony child endangerment and misdemeanor DUI charges. The only potentially positive aspect of this case is that Silva’s son will grow up with a usefully cynical attitude toward our tax-devouring “protectors.”
Source
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