***Update Begins at 11:45 a.m. on April 26, 2014***
The results of the DUI Checkpoint that began at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2014 and ran through 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2014 are as follows:
Of the 2661 vehicles that passed through the Sobriety Checkpoint, 361 were diverted for assessment by a Contact Deputy. The average intrusion time was: 2:06.
There were a total of: 22 arrests. Below is a list of the charges:
6 DUI’s
13 DWLSR
1 No valid driver’s license
2 DWLSR Habitual traffic offender (felony)
1 Fleeing to elude
5 Possession of marijuana
3 Possession of crack cocaine
1 Refusal to submit to testing
2 Possession of Hydromorphone
1 Tampering with physical evidence
4 Possession of drug paraphernalia
1 Possession of Methamphetamine
1 Possession of controlled substance
1 Possession of Hydrocodone
A total of 25 citations were issued and a total of 21 vehicles were impounded.
***Update Ends***
Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Special Operations Division
-DUI/SEU
Prisoner Transport Unit
Traffic Crash Investigators
Community Policing Unit
Sheriff’s Citizen Patrol
Explorer Post 900
Narcotics Division
Support Services Bureau
Pinellas Park Police Department
Probation and Parole
RID (Remove Intoxicated Drivers)
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.)
What:
In an effort to reduce DUI related injuries, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, will conduct a joint sobriety checkpoint this weekend with the Pinellas Park Police Department.
Where:
The checkpoint will be held at 8900 US19 North in Pinellas Park. (Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg on the west side of US 19).
When:
The checkpoint will be held beginning at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2014 until 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2014.
(Media planning to cover is asked to arrive at the site between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. for ease of access. PIO Sergeant Dave DiSano will be on scene to assist with any media inquiries.)
Why/How:
In an effort to reduce DUI related injuries, deputies will conduct a sobriety checkpoint in Pinellas County. The checkpoint will be held at 8900 US Highway 19 North in Pinellas Park. The Sheriff’s Office will be diverting southbound traffic from US Highway 19 N. The checkpoint will begin at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2014 and will end at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, April, 26, 2014.
At the checkpoint, Patrol, DUI/SEU, Community Policing, Narcotics deputies, and Pinellas Park Police Officers will be on the lookout for alcohol and drug impaired drivers. Members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Crash Investigations Unit, the Sheriff’s Citizen Patrol and Explorer Post 900 will assist with non-enforcement related tasks. Along with impaired drivers, deputies will be looking for driver’s license, registration, insurance, and equipment violations. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Mobile Command Bus will be used for breath testing and the processing of arrested individuals.
This Friday’s checkpoint is dedicated to Richard Michael Molinari. On September 9, 1981, an impaired driver struck Richard’s van at Starkey Road and 109th Avenue in Largo. Richard was 23 years old at the time of the crash and was killed instantly. His wife/passenger, Jo Ann, who was 3 months pregnant at the time of the crash, was ejected from their vehicle. She survived the crash but later lost the child.
For more information about the sobriety checkpoints, contact DUI/SEU Sergeant Michael Paniagua at (727) 582-6200; or the Sheriff’s Public Information Office at (727) 582-6221.