East County News Service
July 8, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – A sobriety checkpoint in Lemon Grove found no intoxicated drivers, but did lead to citations for license violations and impounding of several vehicles. The checkpoint was initiative due to numerous DUI-related accidents and recent tragedies.
“In recent months, Lemon Grove has been impacted by an unusual number of traffic collisions where one of the involved parties has been found to be under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or drugs. Lemon Grove has also been affected by a high number of "hit-and-run" collisions where one of the parties has fled the collision scene,” says Sergeant Jorge Dueño. “Regretfully, since October of 2016, Lemon Grove has endured the loss of several citizens involved in traffic collisions and has also sustained a substantial loss of property at the hands of motorists who collided against homes and parked vehicles.”
On July 7th between 8 p.m. and 1:30 a.m., deputies from the County Sheriff's Department conducted a DUI sobriety and driver's license checkpoint at the 7900 block of Broadway in Lemon Grove. The checkpoint was staffed by approximately 22 Sheriff's Deputies and other Sheriff's Department employees.
The purpose of the checkpoint was to raise public awareness about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or drugs, to deter driving while under the influence and to intervene with motorists who are found driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The operation also served to check and ensure motorist traveling through the checkpoint were properly licensed to drive a motor vehicle.
A total of 682 vehicles went through the checkpoint. Over 550 motorists were contacted and 63 of those had to be further evaluated due to driver's license discrepancies, or to inspect for DUI symptoms. A total of 16 citations were issued to unlicensed or suspended drivers. Seven vehicles were impounded. Three motorists were evaluated for DUI. No one was arrested for DUI or any other reason.
The Lemon Grove checkpoint was funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety in conjunction with the National Highway Safety Administration.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department and the city of Lemon Grove would like to remind all San Diego County citizens to take every precaution to avoid driving while under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or drugs. A simple precaution may include planning ahead and arranging for a designated driver or alternate transportation.
Any questions about the Lemon Grove DUI checkpoint may be directed to Sergeant J. Dueño, Lemon Grove Substation Traffic Unit – 619-337-2000.