Numerous arrests are made each month when concerned citizens call 911 after witnessing possible DUI drivers. The SBPD would like to thank the responsible citizens who take the time to call and report suspected drunk drivers. The following is information on a few of those cases.
10/15/12 at 4:10 p.m.: Zaya Doolittle (age 26) was seen driving recklessly by several citizens. Officer Ragsdale was flagged down by a citizen reporting Doolittle’s erratic driving. Doolittle was located by Officer Ragsdale on 200 W. Carrillo Street in a stopped vehicle blocking two lanes of traffic. He contacted Doolittle and noticed that she appeared very intoxicated and possibly under the influence of a controlled substance. A witness on scene told Officer Ragsdale that she had been driving behind Doolittle and observed Doolittle almost cause several collisions, including nearly hitting a pedestrian. The witness was so concerned that Doolittle would seriously hurt or kill someone that she placed her vehicle in front of Doolittle’s, jumped out of her car, and detained Doolittle until police could arrive. Another witness stated that when Doolittle became aware that the police had been called she attempted to flee, almost causing another collision. Officer Tuazon conducted a DUI investigation on Doolittle who told him that she had not consumed any alcohol, but had taken medication. Doolittle was unable to complete field sobriety tests due to her level of intoxication and was placed under arrest for DUI. Doolittle was found to be on probation for DUI. She chose to provide a blood test which registered her BAC at .36. Doolittle was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for DUI with a bail amount of $25,000.00.
10/19/12 at 1:12 a.m.: Dana Polomski (age 23) was observed driving and failing to stop for a stop sign at the intersection of Gutierrez Street and Chapala Street by Drinking Driver Team Officer Tudor. Officer Tudor conducted a traffic stop, contacted Polomski, and noticed that she smelled of alcohol and was displaying signs of intoxication. Polomski said she had consumed one mixed drink prior to driving. Officer Tudor had Polomski perform several field sobriety tests, determined that Polomski was too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle, and placed her under arrest for DUI. Polomski chose to provide a breath test, which registered her BAC at .19 and .18. Polomski requested a blood test as well which registered her BAC at .19. Polomski was issued a citation for DUI and admitted into the Sobering Center.
10/27/12 at 2:55 a.m.: Ivan Elias (age 21) was seen by a citizen stopped on the southbound Milpas Street off-ramp, possibly passed out in his vehicle. The citizen called 911 to send an officer to check on the welfare of Elias and a companion. A CHP sergeant responded and observed Elias’s vehicle driving slowly on the sidewalk. Elias’s vehicle then collided with a wall, backed up, and then collided with a storm drain structure. Elias’s vehicle continued to move backward and forward, repeatedly colliding with the aforementioned wall. The CHP sergeant drove towards the vehicle, at which time Elias attempted to maneuver his car off the sidewalk, colliding with a tree. Elias continued to attempt to move his vehicle, hitting both the tree and wall several times until he was unable to drive any further. Elias and his passenger were detained and removed from their vehicle by several officers that had by then responded. SBPD Officer Gaston conducted the traffic collision investigation. He noticed that Elias displayed signs of intoxication and contacted Drinking Driver Team Officer Tudor. Officer Tudor arrived and contacted Elias who admitted to driving and causing the collisions. Elias said he had consumed four tall cans of beer and smoked a bowl of marijuana prior to driving. Officer Tudor conducted a DUI investigation and determined that Elias was unable to safely operate a motor vehicle. Elias was placed under arrest for DUI and chose to provide a breath test which registered his BAC at .14 and .14. Elias was issued a citation for DUI and admitted into the Sobering Center.
10/27/12 at 10:46 p.m.: Jorge Armando Avelino-Coctecon (age 20) was involved in a collision in the area of 500 Coronel Place. He fled the scene however witnesses provided police with a vehicle description and possible license plate number. Approximately five minutes later a vehicle matching that description was involved in a collision at Mason Street and Bath Street. The vehicle was found in the middle of the intersection with major damage. Officer Lowry located Avelino-Coctecon who had attempted to flee the scene on foot. He had injuries consistent with being involved in a collision. Avelino-Coctecon admitted to being the driver of the vehicle and was also identified by a witness as such. Drinking Driver Team Officer Tudor arrived and conducted a DUI investigation. Avelino-Coctecon stated he had consumed two beers several hours prior to driving. Officer Tudor noticed that Avelino-Coctecon appeared very intoxicated with bloodshot eyes, a strong odor of alcohol, and slurred speech. Avelino-Coctecon was unable to complete field sobriety tests due to his level of intoxication. Officer Tudor placed Avelino-Coctecon under arrest for DUI and he chose to provide a blood test which his registered his BAC at .24. Avelino-Coctecon was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for DUI, hit-and-run, and unlicensed driver with a bail amount of $5,000.00.
10/28/12 at 4:08 a.m.: Barbara Mahone (age 55) was the driver of a vehicle involved in a vehicle vs. pedestrian traffic collision. Officer Bacon conducted the traffic collision investigation and witness statements revealed that Mahone hit a pedestrian who was legally crossing State Street at Cota Street. Mahone was driving north on State Street and failed to stop for a red light at the intersection. Officer Finnerty and Officer Bacon contacted Mahone who was still sitting in her vehicle. Mahone said she thought that something had hit her car and was unaware that she had struck a pedestrian. The officers noticed Mahone was displaying signs of intoxication and requested Drinking Driver Team Officer Tudor respond to evaluate Mahone. Officer Tudor arrived and contacted Mahone and noticed that she smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot watery eyes, and was slurring her speech. Mahone denied having consumed any alcohol. Officer Tudor conducted a DUI investigation; however Mahone was too intoxicated to perform field sobriety tests. Officer Tudor placed Mahone under arrest for DUI and she chose to provide a breath test which registered her BAC at .24 and .24. The victim was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with a head injury, clavicle injury, and abrasions. Mahone was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for felony DUI causing injury with a bail amount of $100,000.00.