DUI'S GALORE... OR MAYBE NOT

From what little I could pick up from work, last night and the early morning hours of today had the makings of an overflow of DUI cases. At 23:07, Lt. Jeff Johnson notified dispatch that a DUI checkpoint would be put into effect. Though it wasn't made perfectly clear where the checkpoint was, it appeared that it was at Downingtown Pike and Strasburg Road. As of 01:30, there were at least four DUI arrests that I am aware of; the irony of which is that at least two of the arrests were not related to the checkpoint itself...

At 00:07, Ofc. Rey Melendez responded to East Market and South Matlack Streets for the report of a property damage accident. Upon arrival, it was determined that the female driver of the striking vehicle, Caroline Delia Heller, 45, of Exton, had fled the scene. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that at least four parked vehicles were struck during the course of the accident. Cpl. Pam Baumann and Ofc. Brendan McGeehan located the suspect at North High and East Chestnut Streets a few minutes later and placed her under arrest. The suspect was taken back to the accident scene, then transported to CCH as a suspected DUI (WCPD #20070714M0003). Earlier in the day, West Whiteland Police reportedly issued a flash in regards to the striking vehicle; the suspect was wanted for potential charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

Heller faces charges of DUI, Reckless Driving, Accident Involving Damage to an Unattended Vehicle or Property, and Driving Without a License. She was cited and released from the station and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 24 in front of Judge Knapp (15-1-04, CR-0000231-07).

Meanwhile, on the 100 block of North New Street, where officers responded to an assist earlier in the evening, Ofc. David Hammond and Ofc. Bill Viebahn made another DUI arrest while Ofc. Melendez was handling his accident investigation. Jose Alfredo Villalva of Thorndale was arrested and charged with DUI, Driving Without a License, Failure to Have Headlights Turned On During Required Periods, and Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol. He is presently free on $2,500 bail with a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 14 (15-1-01, CR-0000192-07).

This was on top of at least 2 drivers being arrested at the checkpoint during the first couple hours of operation. I have a feeling there'll be more than just the 4 DUI cases being filed as a result of the night's operations. It's interesting how tonight's checkpoint just so happens to coincide with the Turks Head Music Festival's Soundbites "pub crawl that really isn't a pub crawl" in which a $15.00 wristband allowed access to several different bars where artists at Sunday's festival were performing. It wouldn't be surprising to see another checkpoint tomorrow night, though presumably at a different location.

In fact, it was confirmed that out of the 10 vehicles that were stopped at the checkpoint, only two arrests were made there and that two additional DUI arrests were made on routine patrol. Thanks to either a quirk in state law or a judge somewhere in Pennsylvania with very little concept of common sense, police have to make the public aware of DUI checkpoints, though I'm not certain if that includes the location of such checkpoints. Now that's a great way to defeat the purpose of DUI checkpoints...