Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reports the following DUI arrests:
Riverside Sheriff’s Department Patrol unit
Jose Luis Munoz-Magana 29, of Cathedral City Calif DUI arrest by Palm Desert Police 011616
01/17/2016 — On Saturday, January 16, 2016, at 12:31 AM, officers from the Palm Desert Police Department responded to a report of a single-vehicle traffic collision located at Highway 111 and Barbara Drive, Palm Desert. The driver of the vehicle, Jose Luis Munoz-Magana, age 29, residing in Cathedral City, failed to maintain a straight course of travel and collided into the north curb on Highway 111, as his vehicle was traveling west. The investigation revealed Munoz-Magana was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Munoz-Magana was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and was booked into the county jail in Indio after being medically cleared from a local hospital.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages the motoring public to not operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages anyone with information about this traffic collision to contact the Palm Desert Police Department at 760-836-1600, or via Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP (7867).
Melissa Alexandra Perez DUI arrest by Palm Desert Police 011416
On Wednesday, January 13, 2016, at 10:55 PM, officers from the Palm Desert Police Department responded to a report of a single vehicle traffic collision at the intersection of Country Club Drive and Washington Street, Palm Desert. The driver of the vehicle, Melissa Alexandra Perez, 18, from Indio, collided with a metal traffic control light pole located on the northwest corner of the intersection. The investigation revealed Perez was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of prescription medication. Perez was arrested for driving under the influence of prescription medication and was booked into the county jail in Indio after being medically cleared from a local hospital.
On Wednesday, January 13, 2016, about 6:15 PM, officers from the Palm Desert Police Department responded to a report of a traffic collision near the intersection of Hovely Ln. E. and Warner Trail in the city of Palm Desert. The investigation the revealed a gray BMW was traveling eastbound on Hovely Ln. E. when the vehicle collided with another
Stephen Armstrong 46 of La Quinta DUI by Palm Desert Police on 011316
vehicle that had been preparing to turn south onto Warner Trail. During the investigation, deputies suspected the driver, Stephen Armstrong, 46 of La Quinta, was operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Armstrong was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. Stephen Armstrong was arrested for DUI and booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio.
On January 7, 2016, at 4:56 A.M., officers from the Moreno Valley Police Department responded to Old Lake Drive and Pigeon Pass Road, in the city of Moreno Valley, regarding a report of a person laying on the edge of the roadway.
Officers arrived within minutes and discovered an adult male who was incoherent and appeared to have major injuries. The victim was transported to an area hospital due to the extent of his injuries. Officers were unable to determine how the male was injured.
Craig Fulgenzi 23 DUI hit and run Moreno Valley Police 010716
Several hours later, Craig Fulgenzi, age 23, went to the Moreno Valley Police Department and told officers that he hit a pedestrian earlier in the day with his vehicle. Members of the Moreno Valley Police Department’s Traffic Team conducted an investigation. The investigation determined Fulgenzi struck the victim with his vehicle then fled the scene without rendering aid. Officers also determined Fulgenzi was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Fulgenzi was arrested and later booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center for suspicion of driving under the influence, and hit and run causing bodily injury.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. The Department is asking anyone with information regarding this incident, or anyone who may have witnessed the collision, to contact Officer Loucks of
Sarah Marruffo 21 of Cathedral City Calif DUI at 3 am on 010515 Rancho Mirage Police
the Moreno Valley Police Department Traffic Division at (951) 486-6900. After hours, and on weekends, the Department may be reached at (951) 776-1099.
On Tuesday, January 05, 2016, at about 03:00 AM, officers of the Rancho Mirage Police Department responded to a report of a two-vehicle traffic collision in the area of Highway 111 and Frank Sinatra Dr., Rancho Mirage.
This investigation revealed that Sarah Marruffo, age 21 of Cathedral City, caused this collision while driving under the influence of alcohol. Marruffo was arrested and booked at the county jail in Indio. No injuries were sustained by any party involved.
Francisco Damasio DUI arrest at 2 45 am on 010316 by Rancho Mirage Police
On Sunday, January 3, 2016, at about 02:45 AM, officers of the Rancho Mirage Police Department responded to a report of a single-vehicle traffic collision in the area of Bob Hope Dr. and Ramon Rd., Rancho Mirage.
This investigation revealed that Francisco Damasio, 24 of Silver City, New Mexico, lost control of his vehicle while traveling northbound on Bob Hope Dr., approaching Ramon Rd. and collided with the center median and a traffic control sign. Alcohol was determined to have been a factor in this collision. Damasio was subsequently arrested and booked at the county jail in Indio.
DUI Checkpoint Nets 5 Arrests
Lake Elsinore, CA – The Lake Elsinore Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on January 2, 2016, on Railroad Canyon Road and Church Road between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.
DUI/Driver’s License checkpoints have been shown to lower DUI deaths and injuries. A major component of these checkpoints are the deterrent effects it has on those who might drive drunk or drugged impaired, bringing about more awareness and encouraging everyone to use sober designated drivers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Ninety Percent of California drivers approve of checkpoints.
- Alla Miller, 51 years, of Lake Elsinore arrested for DUI
- Melba Baquero, 45 years, of Perris arrested for DUI
- Dean Wilson, 45 years, of Menifee arrested for DUI
- Edward Carrothers, 55 years, of Lake Elsinore arrested for DUI
- Anthony Smith, 19 years, of Murrieta arrested for DUI
- 747 Vehicles Screened
- 47 Drivers contacted
- 4 DUI-Alcohol suspects arrested
- 1 DUI-Drug impaired suspects arrested
- 7 Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked
- 8 Citations issued
Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role. They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen.
Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.
The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1’.
Javier Mateo Chacon 52 of Pico Rivera DUI arrest by Palm Desert Police on 010116
On Friday, January 1, 2016, officers from the Palm Desert Police Department responded to a report of a single-vehicle traffic collision on Clavel Court and Deep Canyon Road, Palm Desert. The driver of the vehicle, Javier Mateo Chacon, 52, residing in Pico Rivera, collided into a nearby residence on Clavel Court. No injuries were reported as a result of this incident. The investigation revealed Chacon was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Chacon was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol after he was treated and released from a local hospital. Chacon was booked into the county jail in Indio for this incident.
On Wednesday, December 30, 2015, at 2:02 pm, the La Quinta Police Department responded to a traffic collision at the intersection of Highway 111 and Washington Street. A Ford 500
Hillary Semeit DUI with child La Quinta Police 123015 Calif.
sedan collided with another vehicle at the intersection and fled in an eastbound direction. The victims provided a description of the vehicle. The vehicle was located in Indio and the driver was taken into custody. The driver was identified as Hillary Semeit, age 35 of Indio. The victims were treated for minor injuries at an area hospital. Semeit was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, injury hit and run and child endangerment. Semeit was booked into the Riverside County jail in Indio.
