PHOENIX -- Leading Phoenix Mercury scorer Diana Taurasi was cited for drunken driving just a few hours after the club's win over the Seattle Storm.
Phoenix police spokesman Luis Samudio said an officer stopped Taurasi near 7th Avenue and Camelback Road at about 2:30 a.m. Thursday.
She was allegedly speeding and failing to use one lane.
A police statement shows the officer smelled alcohol and gave her several field sobriety tests.
Taurasi was then driven to a mobile DUI van where she gave a blood sample, then was cited and released.
"After completing the initial investigation, Ms. Taurasi was ... released to friends," said Samudio.
He added, "Throughout the entire investigation, Ms. Taurasi was courteous and polite with the officers."
Authorities have not released her blood alcohol content.
Taurasi, a guard, scored 22 points and blocked four shots in Wednesday night's 93-81 win over the Storm.
She is the WNBA's leading fan vote-getter ahead of the league's July 25 All-Star game.
ABC15 News spoke with Phoenix Mercury General Manager Ann Meyers Drysdale Thursday night, who said the team will not release an official public statement until more information is released.
Drysdale did say that she expects Taurasi to play during Sunday's game versus the Sparks in Los Angeles.
Source
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Man found guilty of grisly DUI murder after drinking 12-pack
PHOENIX - A Sacaton man accused of getting behind the wheel and killing a bicyclist after drinking a 12-pack of beer has been found guilty of second degree murder and aggravated assault.
Prosecutors said Webster Norris, 44, hit and killed the 60-year-old Gilbert bicyclist on September 20, 2008.
Norris had apparently been drinking with a friend for most of the day, and was racing down a roadway on the Gila River Indian Reservation at 90 miles per hour right before the crash happened.
Witnesses testified that the victim was biking at "an appropriate location on the road" and the defendant had "ample room" to avoid the victim.
Evidence also showed Norris never slowed prior to hitting the victim or after hitting the victim.
The impact of the collision was so intense that the victim's left side was mangled, and left arm and hand amputated.
The victim's amputated arm and hand flew into the suspect car and into the back seat.
Norris wasn't located for 48 hours, and later claimed he had no memory of the previous 48 hours due to his extreme intoxication.
A conviction for Second Degree Murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.
A conviction for Aggravated Assault carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.
The victim had been cross-training in preparation for a marathon, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Source
Prosecutors said Webster Norris, 44, hit and killed the 60-year-old Gilbert bicyclist on September 20, 2008.
Norris had apparently been drinking with a friend for most of the day, and was racing down a roadway on the Gila River Indian Reservation at 90 miles per hour right before the crash happened.
Witnesses testified that the victim was biking at "an appropriate location on the road" and the defendant had "ample room" to avoid the victim.
Evidence also showed Norris never slowed prior to hitting the victim or after hitting the victim.
The impact of the collision was so intense that the victim's left side was mangled, and left arm and hand amputated.
The victim's amputated arm and hand flew into the suspect car and into the back seat.
Norris wasn't located for 48 hours, and later claimed he had no memory of the previous 48 hours due to his extreme intoxication.
A conviction for Second Degree Murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.
A conviction for Aggravated Assault carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.
The victim had been cross-training in preparation for a marathon, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Source
Monday, June 28, 2010
Narconon Arrowhead Provides Alcohol Rehab for Phoenix Residents
Between 2000 and 2005, there was a 50% increase in the percentage of people (aged 12 or older) reporting dependence on or abuse of alcohol – a problem that now affects one in ten Arizonans. This trend of youth starting to drink at a young age sets a pattern for the rest of their lives as shown in the 516 juveniles AND 34,859 adults arrested for DUI. If the adults had been given effective alcohol education in their youth this statistic could have been dramatically decreased. This is where Narconon Arrowhead is a leader. Not only does Narconon Arrowhead educate our youth about the dangers of alcohol but also provides rehabilitation services for alcohol and drug addiction with a 70% success rate for those already caught in the devastating downward spiral of either alcohol or drug addiction.
Phoenix’s youth need to be aware that alcohol lowers a person’s inhibitions and ability to make correct judgments along with the fact that motor skills in an individual decrease once one has consumed alcohol. The most common age group for driving after alcohol consumption are those aged 21-34. This shows a dire need for alcohol education for our youth to prevent them from drinking and/or getting behind the wheel if having been drinking.
There are many things parents can do to prevent their children from drinking. One example is to drill questions with your son or daughter that they are likely to be asked concerning alcohol or drugs until they are able to answer without hesitation and with confidence. Give your children an answer for a way out when offered a drink, i.e. I am trying out for the baseball/volleyball team and need to stay in shape. Establish a strong communication line with your children. Be the person they can come to with a problem rather than reacting and help them figure out a solution to that problem. You want to be open and honest when speaking with your children about alcohol addiction and communicate with them on a level which they can understand. Listen instead of judging. This is of the utmost importance because younger individuals who try alcohol are more likely to experiment with drugs.
Having Phoenix youth educated on the dangers and consequences of alcohol will allow them to achieve their goals and dreams. Narconon Arrowhead wants to make sure that Phoenix’s youth have every opportunity to prosper as they become young adults working in the community. This is why Narconon Arrowhead has our drug educational specialist travel to Phoenix and speak with the youth in Phoenix schools about the dangers and realities of alcohol abuse. The best defense against any addiction is knowledge.
Source
Phoenix’s youth need to be aware that alcohol lowers a person’s inhibitions and ability to make correct judgments along with the fact that motor skills in an individual decrease once one has consumed alcohol. The most common age group for driving after alcohol consumption are those aged 21-34. This shows a dire need for alcohol education for our youth to prevent them from drinking and/or getting behind the wheel if having been drinking.
There are many things parents can do to prevent their children from drinking. One example is to drill questions with your son or daughter that they are likely to be asked concerning alcohol or drugs until they are able to answer without hesitation and with confidence. Give your children an answer for a way out when offered a drink, i.e. I am trying out for the baseball/volleyball team and need to stay in shape. Establish a strong communication line with your children. Be the person they can come to with a problem rather than reacting and help them figure out a solution to that problem. You want to be open and honest when speaking with your children about alcohol addiction and communicate with them on a level which they can understand. Listen instead of judging. This is of the utmost importance because younger individuals who try alcohol are more likely to experiment with drugs.
Having Phoenix youth educated on the dangers and consequences of alcohol will allow them to achieve their goals and dreams. Narconon Arrowhead wants to make sure that Phoenix’s youth have every opportunity to prosper as they become young adults working in the community. This is why Narconon Arrowhead has our drug educational specialist travel to Phoenix and speak with the youth in Phoenix schools about the dangers and realities of alcohol abuse. The best defense against any addiction is knowledge.
Source
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Phoenix man gets 16-year sentence in fatal crash
PHOENIX (AP) - A man convicted of manslaughter in a DUI crash that killed a Phoenix police officer last October has been given a 16-year prison sentence.
Salvador Vivas-Diaz, a 50-year-old mechanic with a drunk-driving record, was sentenced Friday in Maricopa County Superior Court.
Authorities say 25-year-old Shane Figueroa was fatally wounded in south Phoenix on Oct. 25 when Vivas-Diaz crossed the center line of a road and smashed into the officer's patrol car as he was responding to a crime call.
Prosecutors say Vivas-Diaz was arrested twice before on DUI-related charges but never convicted.
When police arrested Vivas-Diaz, he reportedly presented fake identifications and refused to admit his real name.
Judge Michael Kemp issued the maximum allowable sentence of 16 years after considering aggravating factors such as Vivas-Diaz's 0.24% blood-alcohol content at the time of the wreck, a level three-times the 0.08% legal limit to operate a vehicle in Arizona.
Source
Salvador Vivas-Diaz, a 50-year-old mechanic with a drunk-driving record, was sentenced Friday in Maricopa County Superior Court.
Authorities say 25-year-old Shane Figueroa was fatally wounded in south Phoenix on Oct. 25 when Vivas-Diaz crossed the center line of a road and smashed into the officer's patrol car as he was responding to a crime call.
Prosecutors say Vivas-Diaz was arrested twice before on DUI-related charges but never convicted.
When police arrested Vivas-Diaz, he reportedly presented fake identifications and refused to admit his real name.
Judge Michael Kemp issued the maximum allowable sentence of 16 years after considering aggravating factors such as Vivas-Diaz's 0.24% blood-alcohol content at the time of the wreck, a level three-times the 0.08% legal limit to operate a vehicle in Arizona.
Source
Sunday, March 28, 2010
West Valley DUI Task Force makes record number of arrests
With the help of funding from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Arizona law-enforcement officers arrested a record number of DUI suspects.
Behind the crackdown are myriad state DUI task forces, including the West Valley DUI Task Force, which coordinates special-night and weekend DUI suppression efforts to nail those who drink and get behind the wheel.
The Governor's Office supplied funding that allowed police departments to pay officers overtime for DUI patrol work.
In Glendale, the West Valley DUI Task Force brought in its fair share of suspects. Ninety-five drunken-driving arrests were made in the West Valley's largest city between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, when experts say revelers are more likely to hit the road.
Because people attend more holiday parties and events, travel and alcohol consumption tends to jump. In a typical year, more than 1,000 people nationwide die in drunken-driving crashes between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, according to Mother's Against Drunk Driving.
As a whole, the West Valley DUI Task Force netted 338 individuals on suspicion of drunken driving during the holiday period.
Enforcement events were held on New Year's Eve and the days following Christmas and Thanksgiving. As expected, the task force on Dec. 31 netted the most suspects, 56.
Although the holidays are over, the West Valley DUI Task Force warns drunken drivers that it's not slowing down.
The task force uses regular enforcement and checkpoints in which patrol officers descend on an area to find drivers who appear to be impaired. Saturation efforts often target heavily trafficked areas with restaurants and bars, such as Westgate City Center and Peoria's entertainment corridor along 83rd Avenue.
Other agencies that participate in the task force include Peoria, Buckeye, Surprise, El Mirage, Tolleson, Goodyear, Avondale and Phoenix with help from the Department of Public Safety.
Many of the West Valley agencies have leftover funds, which they plan to funnel into DUI enforcement throughout the coming months.
Most recently, Peoria accepted $52,000 in grants from the Governor's Office for DUI enforcement and speed-enforcement education.
Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, said the state has plans to increase its support for the West Valley DUI Task Force this year, providing overtime pay for Maricopa County Sheriff's Office corrections officers to help book and process suspects.
Source
Behind the crackdown are myriad state DUI task forces, including the West Valley DUI Task Force, which coordinates special-night and weekend DUI suppression efforts to nail those who drink and get behind the wheel.
The Governor's Office supplied funding that allowed police departments to pay officers overtime for DUI patrol work.
In Glendale, the West Valley DUI Task Force brought in its fair share of suspects. Ninety-five drunken-driving arrests were made in the West Valley's largest city between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, when experts say revelers are more likely to hit the road.
Because people attend more holiday parties and events, travel and alcohol consumption tends to jump. In a typical year, more than 1,000 people nationwide die in drunken-driving crashes between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, according to Mother's Against Drunk Driving.
As a whole, the West Valley DUI Task Force netted 338 individuals on suspicion of drunken driving during the holiday period.
Enforcement events were held on New Year's Eve and the days following Christmas and Thanksgiving. As expected, the task force on Dec. 31 netted the most suspects, 56.
Although the holidays are over, the West Valley DUI Task Force warns drunken drivers that it's not slowing down.
The task force uses regular enforcement and checkpoints in which patrol officers descend on an area to find drivers who appear to be impaired. Saturation efforts often target heavily trafficked areas with restaurants and bars, such as Westgate City Center and Peoria's entertainment corridor along 83rd Avenue.
Other agencies that participate in the task force include Peoria, Buckeye, Surprise, El Mirage, Tolleson, Goodyear, Avondale and Phoenix with help from the Department of Public Safety.
Many of the West Valley agencies have leftover funds, which they plan to funnel into DUI enforcement throughout the coming months.
Most recently, Peoria accepted $52,000 in grants from the Governor's Office for DUI enforcement and speed-enforcement education.
Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, said the state has plans to increase its support for the West Valley DUI Task Force this year, providing overtime pay for Maricopa County Sheriff's Office corrections officers to help book and process suspects.
Source
Monday, March 15, 2010
Pinal County, DUI Task Force receive highway grant
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office and Pinal County Regional DUI Task Force have been awarded $103,220 to fund overtime for DUI enforcement and collision investigation training.
The Governor's Office of Highway Safety provided these funds to further support the continuance of the Pinal County Regional DUI Task Force and to help ensure those traveling the roadways of Pinal County are safer.
In addition to the overtime and enhanced training funding, GOHS awarded $27,500 to the Sheriff’s Office for the purchase of an additional motorcycle to support the growth of their motor unit whose purpose is public education and enforcement of traffic laws.
The Task Force, formed in March, has played an important role in removing many impaired drivers from Pinal County highways. Agencies participating in the Task Force include the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Casa Grande, Gila River, Apache Junction, Coolidge, Florence, Eloy, Ak-Chin and Maricopa Police Departments.
Since the Nov. 24 Pinal County Holiday DUI Task Force Kick Off, more than 160 people have been arrested for driving impaired. DUI Task Force saturation patrols will continue through the New Year weekend with a “zero tolerance" approach to impaired driving. Drivers found to be impaired by alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested and booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Facility in Florence, AZ. Additionally, officers will be enforcing the "zero tolerance" policy toward underage drinking.
National statistics reveal that between Thanksgiving and New Year's 38 percent of all deaths from auto accidents are alcohol-related.
In 2008, 849 people were killed in Arizona in fatal crashes. Of those killed, 294 involved drivers who had a blood-alcohol concentration over the .08 limit. This represents almost 34 percent and does not account for drivers impaired by drugs.
“It is important for us, as law enforcement partners, to work together to educate the public and take a 'zero tolerance' approach when dealing with impaired drivers,” said Sheriff Paul Babeu.
“Gone are the days in Pinal County when a drunk driver is allowed to park their car or get a ride home after being stopped. When we catch someone driving drunk or impaired by drugs; they will be cuffed and taken to jail.”
Source
The Governor's Office of Highway Safety provided these funds to further support the continuance of the Pinal County Regional DUI Task Force and to help ensure those traveling the roadways of Pinal County are safer.
In addition to the overtime and enhanced training funding, GOHS awarded $27,500 to the Sheriff’s Office for the purchase of an additional motorcycle to support the growth of their motor unit whose purpose is public education and enforcement of traffic laws.
The Task Force, formed in March, has played an important role in removing many impaired drivers from Pinal County highways. Agencies participating in the Task Force include the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Casa Grande, Gila River, Apache Junction, Coolidge, Florence, Eloy, Ak-Chin and Maricopa Police Departments.
Since the Nov. 24 Pinal County Holiday DUI Task Force Kick Off, more than 160 people have been arrested for driving impaired. DUI Task Force saturation patrols will continue through the New Year weekend with a “zero tolerance" approach to impaired driving. Drivers found to be impaired by alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested and booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Facility in Florence, AZ. Additionally, officers will be enforcing the "zero tolerance" policy toward underage drinking.
National statistics reveal that between Thanksgiving and New Year's 38 percent of all deaths from auto accidents are alcohol-related.
In 2008, 849 people were killed in Arizona in fatal crashes. Of those killed, 294 involved drivers who had a blood-alcohol concentration over the .08 limit. This represents almost 34 percent and does not account for drivers impaired by drugs.
“It is important for us, as law enforcement partners, to work together to educate the public and take a 'zero tolerance' approach when dealing with impaired drivers,” said Sheriff Paul Babeu.
“Gone are the days in Pinal County when a drunk driver is allowed to park their car or get a ride home after being stopped. When we catch someone driving drunk or impaired by drugs; they will be cuffed and taken to jail.”
Source
Sunday, February 28, 2010
DUI Task Force reports fewer arrests in 2009
While the number of DUI arrests in 2009 significantly increased in Arizona from the previous year, Graham County bucked the trend and had fewer DUI arrests over the New Year's holiday than last year.
The Eastern Arizona DUI Task Force conducted saturation patrols New Year's Eve and New Year's Day and reported a total of nine DUI arrests out of 131 stops, according to Thatcher Sgt. Scott Mulleneaux.
Last year, 15 arrests were made on 218 stops during three saturation patrols in December and early January. While the total number of arrests was higher in the 2008 deployments, the actual percentage of arrests to stops remained the same at about 7 percent for both years.
According to the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Arizona's 16 DUI task forces made more than 14,000 DUI arrests in 2009, including nearly 4,500 from Thanksgiving to New Year's.
That is an increase from the 2008 numbers of about 10,500 arrests, with about 2,700 from Thanksgiving to New Year's.
What has increased in Graham County for 2009 is the usage of designated drivers. This year, officers noted 20 designated drivers out of the 131 stops with 16 designated drivers utilized out of 59 stops New Year's Eve.
"The increased use of designated drivers was very impressive," Mulleneaux said. "Our goal is to get zero DUIs and have all designated drivers (for those who have been drinking alcohol)."
He said it is apparent that message has reached a significant portion of Graham County's residents, and he is grateful they have taken the advice to heart.
This year, officers from the Safford, Thatcher, Pima and Clifton police departments joined officers from the Department of Public Safety to conduct the patrols. The task force is funded from a grant from the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
Source
The Eastern Arizona DUI Task Force conducted saturation patrols New Year's Eve and New Year's Day and reported a total of nine DUI arrests out of 131 stops, according to Thatcher Sgt. Scott Mulleneaux.
Last year, 15 arrests were made on 218 stops during three saturation patrols in December and early January. While the total number of arrests was higher in the 2008 deployments, the actual percentage of arrests to stops remained the same at about 7 percent for both years.
According to the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Arizona's 16 DUI task forces made more than 14,000 DUI arrests in 2009, including nearly 4,500 from Thanksgiving to New Year's.
That is an increase from the 2008 numbers of about 10,500 arrests, with about 2,700 from Thanksgiving to New Year's.
What has increased in Graham County for 2009 is the usage of designated drivers. This year, officers noted 20 designated drivers out of the 131 stops with 16 designated drivers utilized out of 59 stops New Year's Eve.
"The increased use of designated drivers was very impressive," Mulleneaux said. "Our goal is to get zero DUIs and have all designated drivers (for those who have been drinking alcohol)."
He said it is apparent that message has reached a significant portion of Graham County's residents, and he is grateful they have taken the advice to heart.
This year, officers from the Safford, Thatcher, Pima and Clifton police departments joined officers from the Department of Public Safety to conduct the patrols. The task force is funded from a grant from the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
Source
Monday, February 15, 2010
Ariz. holiday period DUI arrests rise in 2009
Arizona’s 16 DUI task forces around the state made more than 14,000 driving-under-the-influence arrests in 2009 including nearly 4,500 from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.
Those figures are up from 2008 when the task forces made some 10,500 DUI arrests but only about 2,700 from the Thanksgiving-to-Jan. 1 holiday span.
Statistics released Jan. 1 by Gov. Jan Brewer’s office show that 960 DUI arrests for the holiday period were for extreme DUI with drivers having blood-alcohol levels of .15 or higher. That’s well above the 0.08 percent legal limit to operate a vehicle in Arizona.
The state tasks forces also report 194 DUI arrests for drivers under age 21 in the 2009 Thanksgiving-to-New Year’s period and 492 under-21 liquor law citations.
Source
Those figures are up from 2008 when the task forces made some 10,500 DUI arrests but only about 2,700 from the Thanksgiving-to-Jan. 1 holiday span.
Statistics released Jan. 1 by Gov. Jan Brewer’s office show that 960 DUI arrests for the holiday period were for extreme DUI with drivers having blood-alcohol levels of .15 or higher. That’s well above the 0.08 percent legal limit to operate a vehicle in Arizona.
The state tasks forces also report 194 DUI arrests for drivers under age 21 in the 2009 Thanksgiving-to-New Year’s period and 492 under-21 liquor law citations.
Source
Thursday, January 28, 2010
AZ DUI arrests increase
The number of D.U.I. arrests in Arizona were up in 2009 from 2008.
The state's 16 D.U.I. task forces made more than 14,000 D.U.I. arrests last year and about 5,000 of those arrests were just from Thanksgiving to New Year's alone.
Thats up from about 11,000 D.U.I. arrests made in 2008. Statistics released by the governor's office show 1,000 of those arrests were made for extreme D.U.I. where the drivers had blood-alcohol levels of .15 or higher.
Source
The state's 16 D.U.I. task forces made more than 14,000 D.U.I. arrests last year and about 5,000 of those arrests were just from Thanksgiving to New Year's alone.
Thats up from about 11,000 D.U.I. arrests made in 2008. Statistics released by the governor's office show 1,000 of those arrests were made for extreme D.U.I. where the drivers had blood-alcohol levels of .15 or higher.
Source
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