DUI Results from Coachella, Rancho Mirage

DUI Results Indicate Some Still Need Educated on Drinking and Driving

RANCHO MIRAGE — DUI results from two Valley checkpoints show some motorists threw caution to the wind while celebrating Cinco de Mayo.

In Rancho Mirage on May 5, one person was arrested for DUI, two people were cited for driving on a suspended license, and 27 people were cited for being an unlicensed driver, at a previously announced DUI checkpoint.

The DUI checkpoint was held at Highway 111 and Library Way from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Some 1,300 vehicles were contacted, 55 vehicles were subjected to secondary screening, and 5 field sobriety tests were conducted. Volunteers from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) were on scene and provided informational material to the public.

James Ford, 36 years, of Hollywood, was arrested for DUI alcohol.

In Coachella on May 5, one person was arrested for DUI, one person attested for narcotics violations, one person arrested for delaying or resisting a peace officer, two people were cited for driving on a suspended license, and 13 people were cited for being an unlicensed driver, at a DUI checkpoint on May 5, 2023.

The DUI checkpoint was held at Cesar Chavez Street and Avenue 50 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Some 640 vehicles were contacted, 29 vehicles were subjected to secondary screening, five field sobriety tests were conducted. Volunteers from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) were on scene and provided informational material to the public.

• Mario Antonio Gonzalez Alvarado, 19 years of Coachella, was arrested for DUI alcohol.
• Daniel Pina, 52 years of Indio was arrested for being in possession of methamphetamine and a felony narcotic warrant.
• Luis Angel Gutierrez Aranda, 28 years of Coachella, was arrested for delaying or resisting a peace officer and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license for DUI.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off roads.

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