New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: dui

DUI driver arrested in Santa Ana after a police pursuit and a collision

Posted on April 25, 2021 by Editor Posted in Alcohol, Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 8:22 PM, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Orange Police Department were in pursuit of a white pick-up truck. During the pursuit, a collision occurred between the truck and a van at 2300 N. Tustin Avenue.

Orange County Fire Authority personnel responded and began to treat the occupants of both vehicles. The occupants of the van were transported to an area hospital with major injuries.

The preliminary investigation has revealed the truck was being pursued south on Tustin Ave approaching Santa Clara Ave. The van was traveling west on Santa Clara Ave at Tustin Ave. As the van proceeded into the intersection on a green traffic signal, it was struck by the truck.

The driver of the truck was arrested at the scene for felony DUI and evading by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigations Unit (CIU) is handling the investigation. Anyone possibly having information about this collision is asked to contact Cpl. W. Hadley at (714) 245-8216 or the Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200.

Newport Beach will crack down on pot smokers who drive on 4/20

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Marijuana, Newport Beach, Santa Ana Leave a comment

April 20, or 4/20, is a “holiday” among marijuana users. Although recreational and medicinal use of marijuana is legal in California, the Newport Beach Police department wants to remind drivers that it is dangerous and illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana.

“Whether it is on 4/20 or any other day, marijuana consumption puts you at risk of driving impaired,” Lt. Damon Psaros said. “Any substance that impairs makes it unsafe to drive.”

If you plan to participate in 4/20 activities and consume marijuana, designate a sober driver to take you home or stay at home. Do not drive, and never ride with an impaired driver.

Studies have shown that THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, can slow reaction times and make it more difficult for drivers to judge distances and keep a steady position in their lane.

If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 911.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Man with prior DUI convictions charged again after a fatal DUI crash in Newport Beach

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Costa Mesa, Crime, Newport Beach, OCDA, Public Safety 1 Comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A 28-year-old Costa Mesa man charged with murder for killing Richard Frost, 74, of Newport Beacha while driving under the influence had three prior driving under the influence convictions and was wanted on warrants on two other driving under the influence cases. He has also been charged in a hit-and-run that occurred shortly before the fatal collision.

Stewart Waithanji was arrested by Costa Mesa police at a nearby bar parking lot shortly after the hit-and-run collision that left the 74-year-old man dead.

Waithanji has been charged with one felony count of murder, one felony count of driving under the influence, one felony count of driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher, and two misdemeanor counts of hit and run.

Prosecutors have asked for an increased bail of $2 million. He faces a maximum sentence of life if convicted on all charges.

Around 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2021, Costa Mesa police were called to the scene of a hit-and-run accident on Newport Boulevard south of 17^th Street with witnesses attempting stop the driver from leaving the scene. Officers found an injured 74-year-old man in the street. The man was treated by paramedics and taken to a local hospital where he died.

Witnesses reported the victim was attempting to stop the driver of a silver Chevy Malibu from leaving the scene when he was struck. The driver, later identified as Waithanji, continued driving. He was arrested a short time later in the parking lot of a Los Alamitos bar.

Waithanji was wanted on a warrant on a September 2019 driving under the influence case and also on second warrant for an October 2019 driving under the influence case. He has three prior driving under the influence convictions in Iowa.

“The life of a human being is not something to be discarded and thrown away; a life is something to be celebrated, treasured, and lived to the very fullest,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Yet, a 74-year-old man was left for dead in the middle of the street, tossed aside as if he never mattered, because of the selfish decision of a stranger to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. His life may not have mattered to the driver who left him for dead, but it matters to me and it matters to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. And we will fight for justice for him and everyone who loved him.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Heather Brown of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

A Costa Mesa DUI driver hit a pedestrian and a car and was arrested

Posted on February 21, 2021 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Costa Mesa, Crime 1 Comment

COSTA MESA, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2021) — The Costa Mesa Police Department has arrested a man suspected of DUI after striking a pedestrian and second vehicle earlier this morning.

Today, Feb. 21, 2021, at approximately 2:07 a.m., officers responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision. A driver in the first vehicle ran a red light going south on Newport Boulevard at 19th Street and struck a pedestrian at Harbor Blvd., then collided with a second car at Harbor Boulevard before rolling over.

The pedestrian and the driver of the second vehicle were transported to a nearby hospital.

There are no fatalities in this incident. The driver, Herman Martinez, 22, Maywood, in the first vehicle did not suffer injuries and was subsequently arrested for DUI.

MAIT was called out and a Sig Alert was put out.

Presently, northbound Newport Boulevard is open. Southbound Newport Boulevard remains closed until approximately 10:00 a.m.

The O.C. Sheriff’s Department awarded a DUI testing and training grant

Posted on November 11, 2020 by Editor Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Drugs, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Traffic Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (November 10, 2020): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department – OC Crime Lab has been awarded a $117,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for training and enhanced drug-impaired driving testing. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will use the funding to facilitate the efficient testing of all blood samples collected in DUI investigations for the presence of drugs, regardless of the blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

“With illicit drug use on the rise, coupled with the introduction of fentanyl onto our streets, this type of efficient testing is a necessary tool to keep Orange County roadways safe,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “This grant will assist Orange County law enforcement’s efforts to identify those individuals who drive while under the influence and hold them accountable for their actions.”

The prevalence of drug-impaired driving is increasing on our roadways. Based on case-derived data collected by the Orange County Crime Laboratory, more than 50% of drivers arrested for DUI in Orange County have at least one impairing drug in their system other than alcohol.

Illicit drugs and certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause impairment in an individual. These substances in combination with even a small amount of alcohol can cause a person to become unable to operate a motor vehicle safely.

“Drug-impaired driving is a significant problem in California,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “Effective drug testing is needed to combat the rise in cases and assist in the prosecution of those who put lives at risk.”

While alcohol remains the worst offender for DUI crashes, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription medications and marijuana can also be impairing by themselves, or in combination with alcohol, and can result in a DUI arrest.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Virtual “Walk Like MADD” committed to ending drunk driving, on 10/10

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Editor Posted in Alcohol, California, Crime Leave a comment

As a tribute to MADD’s 40th anniversary, the California State office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) will host its signature event – Walk Like MADD ceremony – virtually on Saturday, October 10th beginning at 12:00 Noon on Facebook/Instagram/YouTube @MADDCalifornia.

“We ask you to join these meaningful virtual events and support our goal of #OneMADDCalifornia to end drunk and drugged driving,” said Patricia Rillera, MADD California State Executive Director. “Walk Like MADD gives victims and survivors a safe place to remember their loved ones. Innocent lives are stolen by someone else’s careless, reckless decision. There is NO justification to drive impaired – it is a violent crime that leaves scars for life on everyone involved.

Timing for the virtual walk is significant because of the number of DUI related deaths and injuries in the media lately – during a pandemic.”

Along with many others, every single one of these deaths are one hundred percent preventable and heightens the need of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® to address the ripple effects of driving impaired. With all the options available today — rideshare apps, such as Uber, taxis, public transportation or family and friends who have not consumed alcohol — there’s no excuse to drive while impaired.

In 2018, 1,069 people in California were killed in drunk driving crashes. More than 10,000 lives end every year due to this crime. Stopping this starts with every one of us. In fact, two in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime.

If you would like more information regarding Walk Like MADD virtual walk event, please visit your local area to register, donate, or get more information. You can complete your 5k by walking or running in your own neighborhood, community and parks anytime from October 3rd- October 10th. Walkers and runners should post videos and pictures of their 5k and tag @MADDCalifornia on Facebook or Instagram.

WLM SoCal: www.walklikemadd.org/socal

When: Saturday, October 10, 2020

Where: To view the event, simply login to your social media accounts or via link provided below.

Facebook / Instagram @MADDCalifornia
YouTube @MADDCalifornia

The Garden Grove police cracked down on street racers this weekend

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Editor Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Garden Grove, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Street Racing 9 Comments

Over the weekend, Garden Grove Police Department Motor Unit and patrol officers tackled the issue of street racing, in addition to their ongoing DUI enforcement efforts.

‪Saturday evening started with street racers congregating at City Park (Euclid St and Main St). Motor officers saturated the area, wrote numerous citations and impounded a vehicle. Later that night, they received information of another gathering of approximately 400 cars and 1000 people at the corner of Euclid St and Katella Ave.‬

‪GGPD officers maintained a position on the Garden Grove side to monitor and ensure the racers did not enter their city. Approximately 10-15 racers decided to cross into Garden Grove and began doing donuts in the parking lot area. GGPD officers assisted outside agencies with dispersing the crowd, then arrested one subject and impounded his vehicle.‬

On Sunday, officers were dispatched to the parking lot at the corner of Euclid St. and Westminster Ave. regarding a large gathering of street racers. They were able to disperse the crowd of over 500 cars and 1,500 people, and issued numerous citations.

In total, GGPD had two DUI arrests, multiple street racing arrests, six impounded vehicles, and over 80 citations for vehicle and alcohol violations.

A DUI driver crashed into police motorcycle at a DUI checkpoint in Fountain Valley

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Anaheim, Crime, Drugs, Fountain Valley, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

On Saturday, August 22, at approximately 1:17 a.m (4+ hours after the Fountain Valley Police DUI checkpoint began), Evan Nguyen, a 25-year-old resident of Anaheim, drove right into the checkpoint, which was set up near Brookhurst and Edinger in Fountain Valley, according to the F.V. Police Dept.

Nugyen advanced his vehicle approximately 50 feet past the huge “DUI CHECK POINT AHEAD BE PREPARED TO STOP” sign. He then collided with a parked police motorcycle.

Nguyen was immediately contacted by FVPD Officers and detained. Nguyen was impaired and had narcotics in his pocket.

Nguyen was arrested for VC 23152(a)/(b) – DUI over .08% BAC and HS 11377(a)-possession of narcotics. (20-27330) @ Fountain Valley, California.

The results of the checkpoint were as follows:

– 1,061 vehicles passed through the checkpoint.
– 554 drivers were contacted.
– 9 drivers were evaluated for DUI.
– 1 driver was arrested for DUI (cite/release).
– 5 drivers were cited for being unlicensed.
– 4 vehicles were towed at the end of the checkpoint.

A DUI suspect was arrested after a wrong way crash in Costa Mesa involving 8 vehicles

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Costa Mesa, Crime, Public Safety Leave a comment

The Costa Mesa police arrested Fernando Rodriguez Rabago, 24, whose last known address was Whittier, after an 8-vehicle traffic collision that occured at 19th and Newport Bl. in Costa Mesa on Monday, July 27, at about 10:48 a.m., per the Costa Mesa Police Twitter account.

Rabago was seen driving the wrong way on Newport Blvd.

Five people injured including a minor and several were transported to local hospitals for treatment. One person had to be freed from the wreckage of a disabled vehicle, according to the O.C. Register.

Rabago was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

A police pursuit of a suspected drunk driver ended in Santa Ana last night

Posted on May 13, 2020 by Editor Posted in Alcohol, Anaheim, Santa Ana Leave a comment

You might be wondering why six helicopters were hovering over north Santa Ana last night. Turns out that a high speed police pursuit of a suspected drunken driver, that started in Anaheim, ended in Santa Ana.

The incident began when Anaheim police officers responded to a suspicious vehicle call in a parking lot in the 5700 block of La Palma Avenue, just east of Imperial Highway, at about 9:20 p.m., and the driver rammed into at least one of the officers’ vehicles, then fled, prompting the pursuit, according to the O.C. Register.

The suspect, accused of ramming into two Anaheim Police Department vehicles, was driving what appeared to be a blue Chevy Avalanche. After allegedly hitting the vehicles, he fled the area, according to ABC News.

The suspect was very reckless as he drove at speeds that at times exceeded 100 mph while traveling on the southbound Orange (57) Freeway and both the eastbound and the westbound Garden Grove (22) Freeway.

The pursuit finally ended as the suspect exited the eastbound Garden Grove Freeway at Grand Avenue about 10:20 p.m. and he pulled into a gated apartment complex. The suspect then stopped the vehicle, stepped out and surrendered to the police officers. He is now in custody and is surely facing many felony charges.

A 19-year-old DUI driver was arrested after crashing into the fence of an O.C. jail early today

Posted on July 30, 2019 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

At about 3:30 a.m. this morning, a 19-year-old crashed her car into the entrance gate of the James A. Musick jail facility, according to the O.C. Sheriff’s Twitter feed.

The unidentified female driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and booked into OC jail.

A brown Range Rover suffered front-end damage near the guard-shack building of the jail, at 13502 Musick. A metal gate was also bent and knocked to the ground, according to the O.C. Register.

The suspect was not booked into the jail she crashed at. The Musick facility temporarily stopped housing detainees as of July 18 while the department makes changes to its jail operations and builds new facilities, according to ABC News.

The Sheriff’s Department posted “We are grateful no OCSD personnel were injured in this collision. While this damage can be fixed, we know that’s not always the case with DUI collisions. Losing a loved one or friend is irreparable. Please always designate a driver or coordinate a ride.”

Suspect arrested after a DUI crash by Madison Park injured a pedestrian

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Suspect: Albert Solano Diaz (38) Santa Ana

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at approximately 12:01 AM, a Santa Ana Police Officer was traveling south on S. Standard Avenue when he came across a female lying in the roadway just north of E. Edinger Avenue.

Upon contacting the female, the officer found her to be unconscious and not breathing. Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) personnel responded and attended to the victim before she was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries.

Officers conducted an area check and found an unoccupied vehicle with major front end damage in the immediate area and observed a male walking away from the general area. The male was detained and found to be intoxicated. Video surveillance footage showed the male getting out of the vehicle and walking away just before officers locate it.

The male observed walking away from the vehicle was identified as Alberto Solano Diaz. Diaz was ultimately arrested for investigation of DUI. He was booked into the Santa Ana City Jail for (felony) DUI causing injury and (felony) Hit & Run. The female pedestrian remains unidentified and in extremely critical condition. The collision continues to be investigated and alcohol is believed to have played a role.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigations Unit (CIU) responded to the collision and handled the investigation. Anyone having possible information about this collision is asked to contact the Santa Ana Police Corporal Brett Nelson at (714) 245-8208.

A tank of nitrous oxide was found in an SUV after a DUI crash in Fountain Valley this morning

Posted on April 6, 2019 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Crime, Drugs, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Alex Nieves, 18, was arrested after the SUV he was driving slammed into a tree, injuring six people, two critically, early this morning, according to the O.C. Register.

Nieves, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, after police found a tank of nitrous oxide in the vehicle.

Nitroux oxide, which is commonly known as laughing gas, may have played a role in the car crash.

The crash took place at Harbor Boulevard near Edinger Avenue, just after midnight. The six occupants of the SUV were between 18 years old to their mid-20s, according to the Fountain Valley Police. They were all hospitalized after the crash.

The police believe all of the occupants were “under the influence of a variety of substances.”

Dentists use nitrous oxide as a form of anesthesia and it is also used to pressurize whipped cream canisters and it can also speed up drag racing cars. However it is also popular as a party drug and using it illegally has led to traffic accidents, rapes and teenage deaths.

The four victim’s of Sunday’s fatal DUI crash in Santa Ana have been identified

Posted on February 18, 2019 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Advisory: Update- Victims Identified – Quadruple Fatality – 4th Street & Tustin Ave

Driver: Jose Alberto Avila-Rosas (31 years of age)- Santa Ana

Passengers:

Ziomara Zaragoza (23) – Garden Grove
Antonio Alonso Santibanez (23) – Orange
Prisma Yuliana Montoya (34) – Santa Ana

Details:On Sunday February 17th, 2019 at 0229 hours, SAPD Officers were dispatched Code 3 (lights and sirens) to the area of ‪4th Street‬ and Tustin Avenue for a reported two vehicle traffic collision with both vehicles being overturned. The vehicles were found in the eastbound lanes of 4th west of Tustin. A calling party reported the occupants in a white Chevy Silverado were trapped and the vehicle was catching fire. An off-duty firefighter and his wife, an off-duty nurse, were passing by and stopped to render aid. Officers arrived on scene and found the occupants of the white truck unresponsive and trapped inside the vehicle. The driver of the black Jeep Wrangler was found lying in the roadway adjacent to the vehicle and was able speak to officers.

Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) personnel responded and determined all four occupants of the white truck were deceased as a result of the collision. The 28-year-old driver of the black Jeep, identified as Vincent Michael Calvo of Buena Park, appeared to be extremely impaired at the scene. He was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries before being later released and arrested for suspicion of DUI. He faces four counts of murder as well as felony DUI.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigations Unit (CIU) responded to the collision and handled the investigation. Investigators have secured surveillance video, which shows the black Jeep traveling westbound on ‪4th Street‬ and the white Chevrolet pickup truck traveling southbound on Tustin when the Jeep fails to stop for the red signal light before entering the intersection and broadsiding the truck. The investigation is on-going and anyone possibly having any information regarding this collision is asked to contact Collision Investigator – Corporal ‪Brett Nelson‬ at ‪(714) 245-8208‬.

A man was arrested after four people were killed in a suspected DUI crash in Santa Ana early this morning

Posted on February 17, 2019 by Editor Posted in Accidents, OCFA, Santa Ana, SAPD 3 Comments

Four people died in a horrific traffic accident early this morning in Santa Ana when Vincent Michael Calvo, a 28-year-old Buena Park man, allegdly sped through a red light and struck another vehicle, in what police suspect was a DUI crash.

On Sunday February 17th, 2019 at 0229 hours, SAPD Officers were dispatched Code 3 (lights and sirens) to the area of ‪4th Street‬ and Tustin Avenue for a reported two vehicle traffic collision with both vehicles being overturned. The vehicles were found in the eastbound lanes of 4th west of Tustin.

A calling party reported the occupants in a white Chevy Silverado were trapped and the vehicle was catching fire. An off-duty firefighter and his wife, an off-duty nurse, were passing by and stopped to render aid. Officers arrived on scene and found the occupants of the white truck unresponsive and trapped inside the vehicle. The driver of the black Jeep Wrangler was found lying in the roadway adjacent to the vehicle and was able speak to officers, according to the SAPD.

Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) personnel responded and determined all four occupants of the white truck were deceased as a result of the collision. The 28-year-old driver of the black Jeep, identified as Vincent Michael Calvo of Buena Park, appeared to be extremely impaired at the scene. He was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries before being later released and arrested for suspicion of DUI. He faces four counts of murder as well as felony DUI.