San Diego DUI Lawyer Blog

A man who was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol led police on a chase in Lakeside that ended when a pickup truck hit him when he fled his vehicle while trying to run from police.

Juan Manual Sanz, 43, of San Diego, died from injuries at Sharp Memorial Hospital that he incurred while attempting to cross State Route 67 at Vigilante Road, according to the San Diego County’s Medical Examiner’s Office.

Around 9:00p.m. Sunday, a CHP officer tried to stop the man that seemed intoxicated while driving a Cadillac erratically on State Route 67, just south of Mapleview, said California Highway Patrol officer. The suspected DUI driver started to slow down but then accelerated leading the CHP on pursuit.

The chase continued on SR 67 northbound at speeds of more than 80 miles per hour. Sanz crossed the double yellow lines many times and was driving on the wrong side of the road, according to CHP Officer Brian Pennings.

The chase ended at Vigilante Road when the suspected drunk driver left his car and fled on foot before being struck by a pickup truck. A 39-year old passenger in Sanz car was arrested. Drugs were also found in the Cadillac, said Pennings.

The driver of the pickup truck was not hurt.

Police chase in Lakeside ends badly for suspected DUI, Sign on San Diego, March 30, 2009

Man Killed By Truck When He Ran From Law ID'd, News 10.com, March 31,2009

Continue reading " San Diego Man Dies After DUI Chase in Lakeside " »

Monday police conducted a DUI warrant sweep in Chula Vista that ended with 5 people in jail.

Chula Vista police took 5 people into custody that were convicted of drunk driving, that violated orders to appear in court or did not complete their terms of probation in a DUI sweep.

The 5 driving while intoxicated suspects were arrested and taken to San Diego County Jail on Tuesday.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Driving drunk in the state of California will result in 2 cases being charged against the offender. The first charge processed will be by the DMV and another by the court system. Although, the case against the defendant by the courts contains two separate charges. According to California DUI attorneys these are known as the (a) and (b) counts (Vehicle Code 23152 (a) and (b). The defendant will only be punished once for both of the charges.

DUI Warrant Sweep Nets 5 In Chula Vista, 10 News.com, March 24,2009

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California DMV guidelines about DUI

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The city of San Diego has had a lawsuit filed by a man who is considering running for City Council next year over a 2007 driving under the influence arrest.

On November 18, 2007, B.D. Howard, 29, was taken into custody for the second time in 3 months for a DUI in connection with a solo car accident. He already had his license suspended for the first DUI. According to Howard in an interview, other people were driving his car.

San Diego police found an abandoned BMW on the off ramp of Interstate 5 and 19th Street that had hit a concrete barrier that turned out to be registered to Howard.

Police went to the suspected DUI driver’s home about a block away and found him at home. According to police they heard him shouting to other people in the house not to let the police in. Police said he smelled strongly of alcohol and denied that the car was his.

Witnesses say the man they saw driving the BMW was a black man wearing a red bandana around his neck. Police said that Howard was the only black man and they saw a red bandana at his home.

Howard took a breathalyzer test and was a 0.15 which is above the legal limit of .08, and was taken into custody. He was never prosecuted and the case was dismissed.

Representing himself Howard sued the city, state and the officers involved in the second arrest last year. He was seeking damages for false imprisonment, battery, assault intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violation of his civil rights. He said that the police officers lied about statements taken by a witness.

Wednesday, Howard said he was planning to drop the lawsuit saying he had changed his mind and he didn’t want to cost the taxpayers any money.

Council Hopeful Suing City Over DUI Arrest, Voice of San Diego.org, March 25,2009

Continue reading " San Diego Being Sued By City Council Hopeful Over DUI Arrest " »

A man from Imperial Beach suspected of driving under the influence who is on probation for DUI, led police on a chase in Chula Vista that ended when he slammed into a house.

The drunken driver was pulled over by police around 2:15a.m.on Monday for a traffic violation. As the officers approached his full size Chevy pickup truck on Quintard Street the man sped off, shortly after, he lost control of his truck and crashed into a house.

The intoxicated driver was pinned inside his truck. Firefighters had to pry the truck open to get the man out. He was then taken to a local hospital for his injuries.

A woman was at home when the crash occurred, but she was not injured. There was major damage to the garage and to a vehicle that was in it. Another vehicle was damaged in the driveway along with a neighbor’s car in the adjoining driveway.

The man was arrested on DUI charges.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

With police in pursuit, driver loses control, crashes into house, Sign on San Diego, March 23, 2009
Web Related Resources

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " Man Suspected of DUI Crashes into House " »

A suspected drunk driver from Escondido struck three vehicles in a Laguna Beach crash that sent 3 people to the hospital with injuries. The DUI driver was arrested then jailed on suspicion of felony DUI.

The crash occurred at 5:32 p.m. on Sunday in Laguna Beach, on Pacific Coast Highway just south of Camel Point Drive according to Sergeant Eric lee of the Laguna Beach Police Department.

Eric Anwyl, 21, of Escondido, was suspected of DUI when he crashed into a moving vehicle carrying a man and a woman, then, struck two parked cars while in his BMW M3. Another woman was in one of the parked cars.

All three people were taken to local hospitals in the area where they were treated for their injuries. Their injuries were not reported as life threatening.

Anwyl was not injured in the crash. He was taken into custody on suspicion of felony DUI.

Escondido Man Suspected Of DUI In Crash Jailed, 10 News.com, March 23, 2009

Continue reading " Escondido Man Taken into Custody on Suspected DUI " »

A TV sports personality was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after he almost struck a police officer on Saturday night, according to San Diego police.

KFMB-Channel 8 sports director, Kyle Kraska, was arrested for DUI near Sabre Springs.

A San Diego police officer was on a juvenile runaway call around 8:20p.m.when he saw a car speeding around the corner at Angelique Street and Avonette Court. The officer had to flash his lights and had to move out of the way to avoid getting hit by the vehicle.

The suspected drunk driver was in a 2003 Silver Mercedes, when he supposedly accelerated and pulled into the driveway of his home. The officer proceeded to follow him and arrested him.

Kraska was taken into custody and released on his promise to appear.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

TV personality arrested on suspicion of DUI, Sign on San Diego, March 18,2009

Web Related Resources

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " San Diego TV Sports Director Arrested on Suspected DUI " »

A San Diego woman suspected of driving under the influence crashed into a lagoon in Carlsbad early Wednesday morning.

Alicia Biggs, 22, of San Diego was driving drunk when her Toyota Tacoma veered off Interstate 5 through the guardrail and into the Carlsbad lagoon near Tamarack Avenue. The incident happened just after 2:00a.m., according to CHP Officer Eric Newbury. It is estimated that she was speeding at about 96 mph.

The DUI driver had moderate injuries and was able to swim to safety and call for help.

Carlsbad police found Amy Lopez, 27, a passenger in the drunk driver’s pickup truck floating face down in the lagoon fighting for her life. She was unconscious when they administered CPR after pulling her to shore. Lopez had been ejected from the vehicle.

The two women were taken to Tri-City Medical Center. Lopez is in critical condition.

Biggs will be charged with a felony DUI with injury when she is released from the hospital.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Car Crashes Into Carlsbad Lagoon From I-5,10News.com, March 18,2009

Car Crashes off I-5 and into Lagoon; IDs Released, San Diego 6 The CW, March 18, 2009

Web Related Resources

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " San Diego Woman That Was DUI Crashed into Carlsbad Lagoon " »

San Diego County law enforcement was out in full force on Friday March 6th in all areas of Fallbrook for their “zero tolerance” alcohol enforcement operation.

Twenty four officers from around the county in two-officer teams participated in the alcohol detail to crack down on DUI and alcohol related crimes. The detail took place all over the Fallbrook area from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. for drunk drivers and public drunkenness.

“I’m extremely pleased with the results of the alcohol enforcement operation conducted by in the Fallbrook area,” said Lt. Phil Brust. “We successfully took a number of suspected drunk drivers off our streets and potentially saved lives in the process.”

The majority of arrests were made on South Mission Road and SR76. According to authorities, the officers performed 109 traffic stops, administered 26 field sobriety tests, issued 25 citations, impounded nine vehicles, and arrested 8 people for driving under the influence of alcohol. Two people were arrested for felony DUI probation violations.

“We have an Intoximeter {breathalyzer} inside the mobile command unit,” said Brust, which is used when a person is brought in and are instructed to blow twice into the machine. Both of the blood alcohol readings are recorded and become evidence if charges are filed.

“Our mission going in was to provide an increased police presence in the community and target impaired drivers,” said Brust.

The alcohol enforcement detail was funded by the Avoid Grant through the California Office of Traffic Safety. Costs for this type of alcohol related operation are between $10,000 and $12,000.

“It’s well worth it, when you are talking about the possible loss of life and/or serious injury that can result from drunk drivers, said Corporal Jason King.

The law enforcement agencies that participated in the DUI operation in Fallbrook included the San Diego County Sheriffs Department, California Highway Patrol, police departments from Oceanside, Carlsbad, La Mesa, Escondido, and Coronado. Officers from the California State Parks and the San Diego County Probation Department also participated in the detail.

“These agencies and others are committed to keeping the streets of San Diego County safe for all of us,” said Brust.

Alcohol detail comes to Fallbrook, Fallbrook Village News, March 12, 2009

Continue reading " San Diego County Law Enforcement Participates in Fallbrook Alcohol Enforcement DUI Operation " »

A man who has been hiding from authorities for almost 20 years for attempted murder is arrested in Menifee, California.

Baldomero Johnny Diaz, 35, was facing a life sentence for a 1990 conviction of six counts of murder for a drive-by gang related shooting, was using false identities, names, Social Security numbers, and also mutilated the tips of his fingers in an attempt to destroy his fingerprints so he would not get caught.

In San Diego, Diaz was arrested for prostitution in 2001 using a false identity, in 2006 under the name of Edgar Francisco Gonzalez, Diaz was arrested again in San Diego for DUI or driving under the influence.

The fugitive gang member was only 17 when he escaped through a hole in a fence after serving only one month in juvenile hall. He has been on the run for 19 years. Prosecutors began investigating this case last month when they discovered Diaz was using false identities.

Diaz is being held without bail after being arrested in Menifee. He will be transferred to the California Department of Corrections to begin his prison sentence.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

OC fugitive arrested after 20-year search, The Los Angeles Times, March 4,2009

Gangbanger Fugitive For 19 Years Finally Arrested, The Post Chronicle, March 9, 2009

Web Related Resources

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " Fugitive Who Had A Prior DUI Arrest in San Diego Caught " »

A suspected drunk driver was arrested for vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving after hitting a light pole last month and killing his passenger, according to Vista sheriff’s investigators.

At his home in Oceanside last Thursday, Vicente Lopez, 22, was arrested for driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. Because of injuries stemming from the February 7th crash, he was taken to San Diego’s Central Jail. Central Jail is equipped for inmates who are wheel chair bound.

The suspected drunk driver was driving in the southbound lanes of Santa Fe Avenue in Vista when he lost control and crashed into a light pole on Guajome Street, according to investigators.

Rodolpho Cisneros was sitting in the front seat of Lopez’s car when he was killed in the crash. The two men worked together in a flower shop in Oceanside. Cisneros’ Father was also in the car when the crash happened. He sustained severe injuries.

Bail has been set at $200,320 for suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, drunken driving causing great bodily harm and driving without a license.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Driver in crash that killed passenger arrested, Sign on San Diego, March 6, 2009

Web Related Resources

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " Oceanside Drunk Driver Arrested in Crash That Killed Passenger " »

Originally sentenced to serve 10 days in jail, Charles Barkley, Former Basketball Star will serve only 3 days of custody for DUI.

After reviewing Barkley’s case a judge decided he would reduce his time served by seven days if he would agree to enroll and complete an alcohol treatment program.

Barkley, who is 45 years old, was arrested on December 31 for failing a field sobriety test for drunk driving not too long after leaving a Scottsdale nightclub.

According to the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office the former NBA star will be reporting to jail on Saturday morning.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Barkley's DUI Sentence Reduced To 3 Days In Jail, KFMB News 8, March 6, 2009

Web Related Resources

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " DUI Sentence For Charles Barkley Only 3 Days " »

There are too many deaths related to alcohol and DUI, according to Dr. Fred Simon Director of Medical Trauma at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla.

He was on duty the night Emily Dowdy was rushed in to the hospital after a drunk driver hit and killed her while she was crossing the street. The suspected DUI driver had five prior DUI convictions and had already spent five years behind bars.

Dr. Simon said that every night he is working, alcohol plays a factor in some way. He is now in the process of starting a foundation to address some of these issues with other doctors, law enforcement, paramedics, friends and family of Emily Dowd.

“We spend so many resources on a problem such as tobacco, that takes 30 years to kill somebody and alcohol as you know with this young lady, she was probably killed in about 8 seconds,” Dr Simon said.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Local Doctor Has Seen Enough Drunk Driving Deaths, San Diego 6 the CW,

Web Related Resources

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " San Diego Doctor Has Seen Too Many Deaths Caused By DUI " »

A 19-year old crashed his SUV while driving under the influence and killing one of his 5 passengers, after attending a party is sentenced today to almost five years in state prison.

On December 3rd Rancho Bernardo resident Richard Caldwell pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing injury.

The crash happened last April 10th about 2:30am when Caldwell lost control of his car while DUI and speeding in a residential area of Poway. The car rolled several times before coming to a halt and killing Charles Amaro II. Two other passengers were injured. Caldwell’s blood alcohol level was .12 percent. He was also seriously injured in the crash.

The DUI defense attorney argued for probation and told the court that his client had no prior criminal record and has already suffered greatly because of the loss of his good friend Charles Amaro on his 20th birthday.

Judge David Danielson denied the defense attorneys requests and said that “the message needs to go out to the community that if a motorist drinks and drives and kills or seriously injures someone, there will be consequences.”

The defendant apologized to Amaro’s Family and his mother, stating that he takes full responsibility for what happened.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol level, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Teen Sentenced For Fatal DUI Crash, San Diego news 10, March 3, 2009

Web Related Resources

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " Rancho Bernardo Teen is Sentenced After Fatal DUI in Poway " »

In the Egger Highlands area of San Diego a suspected drunk driver hits four pedestrians as they waited to cross the street.

According to police, the crash happened around 7:00pm on Saturday Coronado Avenue near Thermal Avenue. The driver of the vehicle tried to avoid hitting a car that was turning onto Thermal Avenue and instead swerved towards the four pedestrians and hit them.

Three of the victims have minor injuries while one woman is being treated for severe leg injuries.

The suspected DUI driver is a woman in her 20’s. She was arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Car hits 4 people waiting to cross; driver arrested, Sign on San Diego, March 1,2009

Web Related Resources

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " San Diego Suspected Drunk Driver Injures 4 People " »