Jesus Ceja Sentenced to Six Years for Aggravated DUI for Being a Wrong Way Driver

PHOENIX— According to the Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office, Jesus Ceja (D.O.B. 10-24-1962) was sentenced on January 9, 2019, to six years in the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to Aggravated Driving While Under the Influence. This is the first time a case was prosecuted under HB2243, the Arizona law that charges an impaired wrong-way driver on the highway with a felony.

“This defendant was given the maximum sentence for his dangerous actions and his sentence will ensure that he will not pose a threat on our roadways to anyone for anytime soon,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery.

Prosecutors recited the facts of the arrest: on August 3, 2018 police received a 911 call about a man driving the wrong way in the westbound lanes of the US 60 near Crismon Road and almost colliding with another car. Officers attempted to get the driver, later identified as Jesus Ceja, to stop by blocking his vehicle’s path. However, after stopping the defendant attempted to back up and keep driving and officers had to command him to stop.

When interviewed Ceja admitted to drinking four beers but said that was not too much. He was found to have a blood alcohol content of more than twice the limit.

This is Ceja’s fifth conviction for driving under the influence.