Crime & Safety

One DUI Arrest During 6-Hour Poway Road Checkpoint

Deputies saw 702 vehicles pass through inspection in eastbound 14300 block of Poway Road.

One driver was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and two citations involving driver’s licenses were made over a 6-hour DUI checkpoint Friday night in Poway, authorities said.

The Sheriff’s Department Poway Station saw 702 vehicles pass through the checkpoint the eastbound 14300 block of Poway Road, with 682 vehicles screened in the primary inspection area, said sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Meleen.

Between the hours of 6 p.m. and midnight, 21 vehicles were sent to the secondary screening area so the driver could have their license status checked or be screened for intoxication, he said.

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Three DUI evaluations were conducted with one DUI arrest made, Meleen said. One citation was issued for driving on a suspended license for a DUI-related offense and one person was cited for driving without a valid driver's license.

“There was also one citation issued for a driver that was driving outside the provisions of his/her license,” he said of the Labor Day weekend inspections. “Two vehicles were towed from the checkpoint from the driver … arrested and the second vehicle for the driver … cited for driving on a suspended license.” The driver lacking a valid license was able to provide a licensed driver to drive the vehicle from the scene as per California Assembly Bill 353.

Find out what's happening in Powaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Names of the arrested people weren’t made public Saturday but would be available next week at the Poway station, a sheriff’s spokeswoman said.

“The primary intent of the checkpoint was to educate the public of the dangers associated with drinking and driving,” Meleen said. “Additionally, the checkpoint served as a deterrent to potentially impaired drivers. Finally, this checkpoint provided an important governmental service by promoting public safety.”

The checkpoint was funded through a grant by the California Office of Traffic Safety.


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