Tag: DUI

BEVERLY HILLS—On Friday, December 5, the Lt. Kevin Orth, BHPD Public Information Officer informed Canyon News via email that from December 12, 2025, thru January 1, 2026, the BHPD will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The high-visibility enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others at risk. In December 2023, 1,038 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“We want to make sure everyone gets home safely so that they can celebrate the holiday season with their families and loved ones,” said Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark G. Stainbrook. “Not only is driving impaired illegal, but it is also dangerous and never acceptable. We are asking everyone to do their part to keep themselves and everyone on the roads safe.”

BHPD is asking all to stay in for the night or plan ahead by designating a sober driver, using public transit, or calling a taxi or rideshare service if you intend to drink.

Impaired driving is not just alcohol related, but prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, cannabis products, and other drugs may also cause impairment. Anyone planning to drink or take medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive. If anyone witnesses an impaired driver, call 9-1-1.

Funding for the program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On Thursday, December 5, the city of Santa Monica disclosed that the Santa Monica Police Department will be out on December 20 from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence (DUI).

The SMPD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

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

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department is asking for the public’s help to locate Good Samaritans that assisted after a drunk driver fatally ran over an individual on October 17.

Lt. Erika Aklufi of the SMPD informed Canyon News via email on October 25, that authorities are still investigating the incident that transpired at approximately 11 p.m., where a driver was arrested for driving under the influence after fatally running over a victim on the sand near the 1400 block of the Beach.

The Police Department is asking for anyone who helped at the scene to come forward.
“We encourage these Good Samaritans to speak with department investigators, as they may have valuable information that could aid in determining the totality of circumstances that lead to this incident. Your information, no matter how minor it may seem, could be crucial to our efforts,” said the Santa Monica Police Department in a statement.

The individual arrested for vehicular manslaughter was Yuyang Sun, 21. The victim has been identified as a female, but no additional details of a name or age has been disclosed to the public.

Anyone at the scene or with information about this incident is asked to contact Investigator Evan Raleigh at evan.raleigh@santamonica.gov; 310-458-8954 or Sergeant Krueger at nick.krueger@santamonica.gov.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, September 3, the Beverly Hills Police Department provided Canyon News in an email details of its recent DUI Checkpoint that was held on August 30.
A DUI checkpoint was held at North Santa Monica Blvd. and Crescent Drive from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

A total of 1,800 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, and 391 were screened. One driver was arrested for DUI, and five drivers were cited for driving without a driver’s license. 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.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills Police Department are warning drivers to celebrate 4/20 responsibly. The Police Department notes that while recreational and medicinal use of marijuana is legal in the state of California, drivers should be cautious while on the road.

“Whether it is on 4/20 or any other day, it is unsafe and illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana,” Chief Mark G. Stainbrook said. “It’s important to make responsible choices, especially when it comes to getting behind the wheel.”

The BHPD is warning motorists that are planning to participate in 4/20 activities and consume marijuana, plan ahead, designate a sober driver, or consider staying in and ordering delivery from local establishments. Do not drive, and never ride with an impaired driver. Driving under the influence of marijuana is dangerous, illegal, and has consequences.

Studies note that THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, can slow reaction times and make it difficult for drivers to judge distances and keep a steady position in their lane. The Police Department is asking anyone who spots and impaired motorists on the road to safely pull over and contact 911.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills Police Department Traffic Bureau will be conducting a sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, December 15, in the area of North Santa Monica Boulevard and Crescent Drive. The checkpoint will be operational from approximately 7 p.m. and conclude at approximately 2 a.m.

All traffic will pass through the checkpoint. Motorists will be stopped and contacted by uniformed officers, who will check for alcohol and/or drug-impaired drivers. Officers will check to ensure all contacted drivers have a valid driver’s license.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and the goal is to take suspected impaired drivers off the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” said Police Chief Mark G. Stainbrook. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”

The BHPD reminds the public impaired driving is not just from alcohol, but some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

By Trevor

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced that they will be conducting a DUI checkpoint in West Hollywood on Friday, August 18. The location where the checkpoint will be established is undisclosed and will be conducted between 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The department indicated that DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data that shows frequent incidents of impaired driving-related crashes.

According to LACSD, the purpose of the announcement is to raise public awareness about the hazards of driving while intoxicated and to encourage sober, designated drivers in addition to removing those driving under the influence off the road to ensure the safety of other drivers and pedestrians alike.

On July 22, LACSD conducted a DUI checkpoint which resulted in the arrests of two adults on suspicion of driving under the influence. A total of 1,380 drivers came through the checkpoint and 948 were screened. 9 drivers were cited and released for other violations, including driving with a suspended or revoked license.

LACSD warns the public that impaired driving is not just induced by alcohol. Some prescription medications as well as over-the-counter-drugs can affect one’s ability to drive safely. Even though both medical and recreational use of marijuana is legal in the State of California, driving while under the influence of marijuana is also a crime.

First-time offenders found to be under the influence can result in an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties and can result in a suspended license.

This program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Back in 2019, musician Noah Benardout, 24, was killed by a vehicle following a collision caused by a drunk driver who was identified as Jacob D. Gralitzer. He was attending a Viacom employee premiere party for the now-cancelled Comedy Central late night talk show Lights Out with David Spade. Gralitzer became intoxicated and then proceeded to get inside of a vehicle and drove through the streets of West Hollywood at high speeds. His car hit Benardout and he sustained blunt force trauma to his head. Benardout died as a result of the injury.

The West Hollywood Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has the following safety tips:

• Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk — or worse, the risk of having a crash while driving.
• If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.
• If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, use public transportation or call one of your local sober ride home programs.
  Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.

By Christianne

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department’s Traffic Unit will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint on Friday, May 5, from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. at an undisclosed location within the city limits.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” said Lieutenant Cody Green. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”

The SMPD is committed to keeping the traveling public safe. The safety of our community is and always will be our mission. We are looking for impaired drivers because driving under the influence is dangerous and puts others on the road at risk.

The SMPD is alerting the public that impaired driving is not only alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

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

PACIFIC PALISADES—Officials have identified the victim who died in a crash on Saturday, April 8, on Pacific Coast Highway. 

According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, the victim has been identified as Ashleigh Lawrence, 32, of Los Angeles. 

On the day of the accident, firefighters were called to the 17400 block of West Sunset Boulevard at Palisades Drive at 12:45 a.m. Officials discovered Lawrence and pronounced her dead at the scene. 

Los Angeles Fire Department Spokesman Nicholas Prange explained that a 21-year-old driver was traveling south on PCH Saturday morning when he slammed into a group of pedestrians and vehicles parked on the shoulder overlooking the beach near Palisades Drive.

The collision sent two of the three vehicles into the rocks, hitting Lawrence. Another person was transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition. Five others involved were in fair to moderate condition. The driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI.  The name of the driver has not been disclosed to the public.
By Cristianne