San Diego DUI Lawyers Blog

La Mesa DUI Crash Results in the Death of a Pedestrian

January 3, 2011 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department announced a pedestrian was killed in a suspected DUI crash just after 1:00am on New Year’s. This is San Diego County’s second fatal DUI collision this holiday season. The first occurred on December 18th, 2010, in El Cajon.

The DUI incident happened on Murray Drive in La Mesa, according to 10news.com. The pedestrian was identified as Kelly McPherson of Mission Valley. The driver of the Ford Mustang was identified as Dana Lohner of La Mesa, a fourth grade teacher at Freese Elementary School. She was released after posting $100,000 bail and is due in court on January 10th, 2011. Pending the outcome of the La Mesa Police Department’s investigation, Ms. Lohner may also be charged with vehicular manslaughter.

There are two possible vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated charges: Gross vehicular manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter. [Penal Code Section 191.5(a) and (b) respectively.]

San Diego Announces More Sobriety Checkpoints During New Year’s Weekend

December 30, 2010 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

cartoon.dui.jpg The following San Diego DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols have been published by californiaavoid.org:

Poway: 12/30, DUI Saturation Patrol, 8:00pm – 3:00am.
Carlsbad: 12/30, DUI Checkpoint, 7:00pm – 3:00am.

Lemon Grove DUI Checkpoint Scheduled

December 29, 2010 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

Lemon Grove will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) checkpoint on January 1st, at the 6900 block of Broadway, according to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department press release.

The checkpoint is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. OTS deemed 2010 to be the “Year of the Checkpoint.” They funded 44% more DUI checkpoints in 2010 then they did in 2009; however, according to californiaavoid.com, to date, DUI arrests in San Diego are down from 2009.

San Diego Drunk Driving Arrests Down Over Christmas Holiday

December 27, 2010 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

martini.holidays.jpg San Diego County recorded twenty-two driving under the influence (DUI) arrests by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) from Christmas Eve through 6 a.m., Sunday, December 26th. This is down from the 38 arrests made over the same period last year.

There have been 202 total DUI arrests in San Diego County from December 23rd through December 27th, 2010, according to californiaavoid.com. That is down from the 224 DUI arrests made for the same period last year.

More DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols are expected throughout the New Year’s weekend. This blog will continue to update information regarding the cities, exact locations, and times as the information is published.

San Diego County DUI Arrests Up So Far This Holiday Season

December 22, 2010 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department announced that 122 driving under the influence (DUI) arrests were made in San Diego County from 12:01am Friday, December 17th, through midnight on Saturday, December 18th. According to the press release, the number of DUI arrests is up from the 57 arrests made during the same time period last year.

Throughout San Diego it is expected that DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols will continue as the Christmas holiday approaches. California Avoid lists the following upcoming DUI checkpoints:

San Diego / SDSU Area: Thursday, Dec. 23rd, 7:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.

Drunk Driving Not Reduced By Designated Driver Programs?

December 21, 2010 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

designated driver.jpg Driving under the influence (DUI) prevention includes the use of designated driver programs. Since the 1980’s, there have been two types of these programs in the United States: 1.) Incentive programs; and, 2.) Population-based campaigns.

The incentive programs involve drinking establishments offering designated drivers free non-alcoholic drinks, food, or admission. Population-based programs use mass media to change the social norms, encouraging people to use a designated driver.

A review of the two programs found that both lack sufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of the use of designated drivers in lowering the number of people who drive while under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs.

Chula Vista to Conduct Sobriety Checkpoint

December 17, 2010 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

A DUI checkpoint will be conducted by the Chula Vista Police Department on December 17th, 18th, and 19th, at an undisclosed location in the city.

Chula Vista Police recommends holiday partiers plan a safe way home before the festivities begin, use a designated driver, call a taxi, sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) provides funding for these operations.

San Diego County To Conduct More DUI Holiday Checkpoints

December 16, 2010 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

santa hat 2.jpg The San Diego Sheriff’s Department warned San Diego residents they are conducting saturation patrols, looking for under the influence (DUI) drivers between December 17th and New Year’s weekend.

DUI checkpoints will also be conducted in the following cities in San Diego:

Vista: 12/17, 900 Vista Village Drive.

Encinitas DUI Checkpoint Statistics Announced By San Diego Sheriff

December 13, 2010 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department announced the results of their Encinitas DUI checkpoint. According to the press release, the checkpoint was conducted on the 1800 block of South El Camino Real.

Only two DUI arrests were made even though 929 cars passed through, 521 drivers were contacted, and five people did the field sobriety tests (FST’s).

The American Beverage Institute (ABI), a restaurant trade association, claims that only 1% of those who pass through a checkpoint are charged with DUI. In this particular checkpoint, less than 1% of those who passed through were arrested.

Encinitas to Conduct a DUI Checkpoint and Saturation Patrol

December 9, 2010 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

The Encinitas Station of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department announced in a press release they will be conducting a holiday DUI checkpoint and saturation patrol on Friday, December 10th, from 8 p.m. until 3 a.m. The checkpoint will be located at the 1700 block of South El Camino Real.

It is the holiday season. You can expect that law enforcement from Chula Vista and El Cajon to Oceanside and Temecula will be out in full force looking for drivers who are under the influence. Do not take a chance of getting arrested. Plan ahead before you head out to your holiday party.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) recommends you use a designated driver, prepare to stay the night, call a friend for a ride, or call a cab. BUT, If you do get arrested for DUI, an aggressive DUI attorney can protect your rights. You have to act fast. You only have 10 days from the date of arrest to request a DMV hearing; otherwise, your driving privilege will be revoked or suspended.