6 arrested at Santa Maria DUI checkpoint. The checkpoint was shut down early due to an unrelated fatal traffic collision.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31th, 2021
6 Arrested at Santa Maria DUI Checkpoint
Santa Maria, Calif. – no drivers were arrested for DUI while conducting a DUI checkpoint on July 30th, 2021.
The checkpoint was held at the 1300 block of south Broadway from 6:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The checkpoint was shut down early due the traffic unit responding to assist investigation in a fatal traffic collision.
6 drivers were cited for operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended/revoked license, 166 vehicles were screened. No other drivers were arrested.
Checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.
The Santa Maria Police Department will hold another DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint in the upcoming months.
Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Regarding the fatal traffic collision, it involved a motorcyclist traveling southbound on Broadway road at a high rate of speed, failed to stop at the red light at McCoy and Broadway, and broadsided a car making a turn onto McCoy from Broadway with a green arrow signal. The collision caused the car to turn on its side. The motorcyclist was declared dead on scene and the driver of the car was uninjured.
The motorcyclist was an adult male and the driver of the car was an juvenile female.
Prepared by: Mike McGehee, Santa Maria Police Department Traffic Sergeant
Address/Location
Santa Maria Police Department
1111 W Betteravia Rd
Santa Maria, CA 93455
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-928-3781