DWI Hit Parade!

Broderick Crawford starred as Chief Dan Mathews of the HIGHWAY PATROL in 156 episodes of the TV cop show from 1955 to 1959, long before today’s cops were born! Video
 
According to the Idaho State Police, on March 9, 2013 at approximately 207 am, the Idaho State Police conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 20 at milepost 311 near Idaho Falls on a U-Haul truck that was failing to maintain its lane of travel.  The driver was identified as Sergio Javier Varela-Vallecillo (29 YOA) by his Honduras passport and the passenger was identified as Felicia Inez Varela (28 YOA) by her Texas driver’s license.  During the traffic stop, there were discrepancies with the rental agreement and both occupants denied ownership of most of the property in the U-Haul.
A Bonneville County K-9 was dispatched to the traffic stop. 
The K-9 alerted on the U-Haul and during the search approximately 52 pounds of Methamphetamine and 27 pounds of Cocaine were located.   Varela, and Varela-Vallecillo were both arrested and transported to the Bonneville County Jail. 
The jail staff alerted the Idaho State Police that Felicia Inez Varela had an additional 5 grams of Methamphetamine concealed on her person.  Varela, and Varela-Vallecillo were both charged with Felony trafficking of Methamphetamine, and Cocaine. Felicia Inez Varela was also charged with Felony Introducing Methamphetamine into a correctional facility, and Varela-Vallecillo was charged with failure to purchase a drivers license.
The Idaho State Police was assisted on scene by the Bonneville County Sheriff and Idaho State Police detectives.
The estimated street value of the Methamphetamine and Cocaine is approximately $1,000,000 to $1,200,000.

Broderick Crawford footnote: Even actors playing cops drive drunk! Unlike the California Highway Patrol, the agency featured in the TV series was more concerned with chasing criminals than enforcing driving laws. WIth such limited budgets, there were very few car chases, crashes, and other motor mayhem than is more common in modern police dramas; scenes were often filmed on rural two-lane paved or dirt roads to save money and because Crawford’s own driver’s license was suspended for drunk driving.
Clint Eastwood appears in a 1955 first season episode called “Motorcycle A”; he was paid $80.00

The Idaho State Police, local law enforcement and the Idaho Transportation Department are mobilizing in an effort to stop impaired driving March 10th through the 18th.  ISP and numerous local agencies in Southeast Idaho will be stepping up their patrol efforts, safety campaigns, and educational presentations to make our highways and roadways safe for travel.   
The effort is part of Idaho’s Toward Zero Deaths’ goal to someday have no traffic deaths on Idaho’s roads. Traffic deaths are not just numbers. They are family members and friends lost.
During the campaign, officers will be watching for impaired drivers.  They will also check for seat belt use.  
Don’t be fooled if you feel ‘buzzed.’  The ‘buzz’ can get you put in jail by the ‘fuzz!’  It’s not worth the risk.  Not only do you risk injuring or killing yourself or someone else, but the financial costs of an arrest or crash are significant to our society.
In 2010, there were 10,726 DUI arrests in Idaho, and 96 fatalities resulting from impaired driving.  In addition, there were 1,593 impaired driving crashes.  45.9% of all Idaho fatalities in 2010 were the result of impaired driving!
- Whenever you plan on consuming alcohol, designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys.

- If you’re impaired, call a taxi, a sober friend, or family member to get you home safely.

- If you go to a bar, check with the workers.  Many local bars have programs to give patrons a free ride home.

- Promptly report suspected drunk drivers you see on roadways to law enforcement.  To contact the Idaho State Police, call *477, or your local law enforcement agency.

- If you know someone who is about to drive impaired, take his or her keys, and help make other transportation arrangements.
Your best defense against drunk drivers is to always wear a seat belt and remain attentive to your surroundings and other drivers.

According to the Idaho State Police, on Feb. 12, 2013 at 6:30 pm, Paula Clark, 68, of Orofino, Idaho, was driving her 2004 Toyota Corolla westbound on US12 near milepost 35 when she crossed over the center line and struck an eastbound 2005 Dodge Pickup driven by George Stockton, 73, of Kamiah, Idaho. Clark was transported to Clearwater Medical Center in Orofino, and was then transported by Life Flight to St. Joseph Medical Center in Lewiston. Stockton and his passenger, Alice Stockton, were not injured. Alcohol/Drug use is under investigation. The eastbound lane of US12 was blocked for approximately 3 hours. All parties involved were wearing their seatbelts.  

ASSISTING AGENCIES: Clearwater County Sheriffs Office, Nez Perce County Sheriffs Office, Orofino Fire/EMS, Life Flight

According to the Idaho State Police on January 28, 2013 at 10:46 pm the Idaho State Police initiated a traffic stop on Byron K. Foster, 49, for a traffic offense near Old Main Street in Julieatta, Latah County. Foster was subsequently arrested for felony DUI, felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, felony possession of a schedule II narcotic, misdemeanor possession of a schedule II substance, possession of paraphernalia, open alcoholic container and driving without privileges. Foster was incarcerated at the Latah County Jail.  $561 dollars was also seized by the Latah County Sheriffs Office.

Idaho State Police report that Joseph O. Heidelberger, 26, of Lewiston, ID was Eastbound on US Highway 12 at Myrtle Beach on Dec. 1, 2012 at 1:25 AM. At milepost 16.4 he drove his 1994 Oldsmobile off the eastbound shoulder, lost control of his vehicle and struck an embankment.  Heidelberger was not wearing a seatbelt.  He was transported to St. Josephs Regional Medical Center and arrested for DUI after being released from the hospital.  Nez Perce County assisted in the investigation.

According to Idaho State Police, on August 29, 2012, at 10:15 p.m., Idaho State Police investigated a fatality crash on State Highway 34 at Fish Hatchery Road. 
A 2011 Nissan Juke, driven by Jon Sorensen, 49, of Grace, ID, was stopped at the intersection of State Highway 34 to turn left onto Fish Hatchery Road, when he was struck from behind by a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Ann Sorensen, 46, of Downey, ID.  Jon succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the crash.  Delilah Bitton, 51, of Grace, ID, was a passenger of Jon’s and was transported by ground ambulance to Caribou Memorial Hospital in Soda Springs.  Ann was also transported by ground ambulance to Caribou Memorial Hospital in Soda Springs.
Police report that alcohol is believed to be a factor.
Both Jon and his passenger Delilah were both wearing seat belts.  Ann was not wearing her seat belt.
No lanes were blocked while the crash was being investigated.

According to the Idaho State Police, on August 12, 2012, at approximately 1:42 am, Idaho State Police investigated a two vehicle crash on 2100 South and State Highway 46, near
Gooding.
Tarin Mendoza, 18, of Wendell was traveling east on 2100 South in a 1997 Plymouth Neon. David King, 32, of Lake Tapps, WA, was driving a 2011 Toyota Camry. Mendoza failed to yield to King.  David King was traveling on State Highway 46 when Mendoza collided with his vehicle in the intersection.
Both drivers were transported to North Canyon Medical Center where David was treated and released. Police report that alcohol is a factor in the crash. The northbound lanes on SH46 were blocked for approximatly two hours. The crash is still under investigation.

According to police, on June 5, 2012 at approximately 7:32 p.m. the Idaho State Police investigated a fatal motorcycle crash.  The driver of the motorcycle was traveling westbound on Hoot Owl Road just north of Inkom, when he lost control of his black 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle.  The driver ran off the road, collided with a fence and died instantly. 
The passenger, Shannon Cozzens, 24, of Wyoming was transported to Portneuf Medical Center with severe injuries.  Alcohol and speed are believed to be factors.  Neither the driver nor passenger were wearing helmets.  The operator of the motorcyle was Christopher G. Matthews, 29, of Chubbuck. Next of kin has been notified.
Idaho State Police was assisted at the scene by Bannock County Sheriff, Bannock County Search and Rescue and Pocatello EMS.  The crash is still under investigation.

Reader says serving America in Iraq is justification for drinking and driving
To the Editor:
Okay, I am one of the first to say people should not drink and drive. It is also a place I make my stand.
My question to you is do you ever take into consideration that the person may not have been drinking.
The accident that Christopher Mathews was in was absolutely horrible. I arrived just as the police did. I cannot tell you if Chris was drinking. I can tell you the gentleman that was with him seemed as sober as could be to me. At this time there is something that you are missing in your story… Something that should be published and recognized.
If you truly believe that there is a problem and you are truly concerned… Which I think may be a portion of what I see. You need to go to the root of the problem. In this case it is getting help for the thousands of vets that return from war and have PTSD or find it hard to get a job or fit in. They left hree as wonderful people. They come back changed.. But the biggest thing… We do not honor them we reject them. Please focus your efforts on some of these things and getting help. To attack after the fact is not going to help the problem. The person you wrote about is gone… He gave his whole life during the years he was in Iraq….fighting for you,me and our country. His family is grieving and you write your column … Proud chested and smiling proud of what you have done. Did you really accomplish what your goal was. Shame on you.
I think it may be of interest to readers that Chris had honored our country by serving 3 tours of Iraq. He also had earned a purple heart. He had suffered many wounds, perhaps some physical some not. This man risked his life for us. I never had the opportunity to meet him. I did however talk to someone who did know him. He was a very honorable man. For you to post only half a story and for you to assume he had been drinking and publish it without proof is insane. The toxicology report if there was one would not have been back when you published your column. You should have acknowledged what he had served our country and had earned a purple heart and how he served to protect our rights. This man gave it all for our country. 29 years old… Served 3 tours in Iraq, He left as an innocent child and came back a man that had experienced and seen far too much for his age. Please take a moment to look around you and see all the things that vets and soldiers have given you.. Freedom. Even the freedom to write this column.
Shame on you.
lngtm15@hughes.net
(Editor’s Note: the above report very clearly states that the police report that alcohol and speed are believed to be factors in this fatal wreck.  Our condolences to the family of the deceased are tempered by the fact that every day the message goes out to those who drive after drinking that they should think about their loved ones and simply call for a ride home instead of taking to the roadway.  Every day sober riders who are America’s veterans make it home safe by not driving after drinking. They live to support their families and to live long lives. No one has a right to drive drunk because they served America and to protect our freedoms, to allege that they do is asinine.)

According to Idaho State Police, on June 07, 2012, at approximately 9:34 pm, the Idaho State Police investigated a two vehicle fatal crash at the intersection of Fargo Road and Peckham Road, west of Wilder.  Kameron Lowe, 21 of Nampa, was travelling northbound on Fargo Road in a 2002 Hyundai Accent when he failed to stop at a stop sign.  Kody Stills, 30 of Wilder, was travelling eastbound on Peckham Road in a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, and struck Lowe’s car on the driver’s side.   Kameron Lowe was pronounced dead at the scene.  Kody Stills was not injured in the crash.  All lanes of travel at the intersection were blocked for approximately two and a half hours.
Lowe was wearing his seatbelt.  Alcohol may have been a factor in this crash. The crash is still under investigation.
The Idaho State Police was assisted at the scene by the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, Wilder Police Department, Wilder Fire and EMS.
Reader has a real problem with news report
To The Editor:
I have a real problem with the report that was posted today about an accident in Idaho.  You have posted it, with a very strong presumption that this is an alcohol related death.  It may or may not be, but it hasn’t been proven.  The major thing is, though, that you are putting this out on the net for everyone to see-including the family and friends of this individual.  That’s unfair to them.  They are dealing with a massive tragedy and you’re using it to further your cause.  I don’t agree with drunk driving in way, shape or form, but at least let it be proven before you put it out there as fact.  That’s all I ask.  Make sure it’s a fact.
Arthur Lidral
(Editor’s Note: The Idaho State Police have reported that alcohol may be a factor, that is all the DWI Hit Parade has reported.  It would serve “our cause” if folks would simply not drive after drinking and stopping at stop signs would make our highways a lot safer)

According to the Idaho State Police, on October 20, 2011 at approximately 12:50 AM, Cpl. Bivins of the Idaho State Police was in the area of Holmes and Yellowstone when he attempted to stop a vehicle being driven by Andrew Berggren, 22, for suspicion of DUI. 
Police say that instead of pulling over that Berggren fled on Holmes Ave then onto US20 and back towards Idaho Falls.
Police report that Berggren exited at Fremont Ave. and the Idaho Falls Police Department and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop Berggren. 
Berggren turned north on Fremont Ave. towards Science Center where he drove through the parking lot of East Idaho Credit Union, hit the curb and a light post. 
As he came out of the parking lot into the alley on the east side of the parking lot, he lost the right front wheel after hitting the curb. 
Berggren’s vehicle attempted to enter onto Science Center and he collided with a Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies patrol car. 
Berggren fled on foot and was apprehended by Bonneville County Deputies and Idaho Falls PD Officers.  
ISP took Berggren to EIRMC for evaluation and then booked into the Bonneville County Jail for Felony DUI, Felony Eluding, Obstructing and Driving Without Privileges.