PR: Emphasis patrol nabs 158 drivers in Fircrest and U.P.

Stepped-up DUI enforcement in Fircrest and University Place resulted in 158 drivers being pulled over for unsafe driving last Saturday night (July 17). The special emphasis patrol conducted by the Tacoma Pierce County DUI and Traffic Safety Task Force additionally resulted in 11 arrests.

Officers obtained warrants for blood samples from two suspected impaired motorists who refused to submit a breath sample to determine their level of intoxication. One 20-year-old driver with his 2-year-old son in the car was arrested for DUI and child endangerment. Two other underage passengers in the vehicle were arrested for Minor in Possession. The youth told police they had been drinking at a party.

In addition to five DUI arrests, the patrol netted six misdemeanor and felony arrests. Forty-six drivers were cited for speeding, negligent driving or having no insurance.

Additionally, the University Place Police Department officer coordinating the night’s activity was called during the patrol to help recover the body of a 33-year-old woman who drowned in the Puyallup River near Sumner around 9 p.m. while attempting to retrieve beer that had been thrown into the water.

“It’s very sad that we ended up with an alcohol-related tragedy in the middle of our life-saving efforts Saturday night,” said John Cheesman, chief of the Fircrest Police Department and chairman of the task force. “People mix alcohol with a lot of things, but it should never be mixed with water or vehicles.”

Officers from seven law enforcement agencies participated in the patrol, which was hosted by the University Place and Fircrest Police Departments and funded by the agencies and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Participants included the Fife, Puyallup, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, University Place and Fircrest police departments, along with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.