Crime & Safety

Alleged DUI Driver Found Slumped Over Wheel at Busy Intersection

At about 6:30 p.m. Friday, authorities were dispatched to Murrieta Hot Springs Road just before Margarita Road where a pickup truck was stopped in the fast lane.

Updated at 6:53 p.m. Dec. 21; originally posted at 10:27 p.m. Dec. 20

A man found slumped over the steering wheel of his pickup truck Friday evening in heavy traffic on Murrieta Hot Springs Road was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

At about 6:30 p.m., Murrieta police and fire personnel were dispatched to a report of a tan Dodge Ram stopped in the farthest left eastbound lane of Murrieta Hot Springs Road just before Margarita Road, said police Sgt. Matt Henry.

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A caller had reported that the driver had his head down, and that he had missed a few cycles of the traffic signal.

Murrieta firefighter/paramedics arrived and knocked on the truck windows in an effort to wake the man, said Matt Corelli, spokesman for the Murrieta Fire Department. They roused him and rendered some aid while also alerting officers of a possible heavy odor of alcohol, according to Corelli.

Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Officers determined that the 36-year-old man was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, Henry said.

“Just based on his condition he was transported to a hospital, just to get medically cleared prior to being taken to Southwest jail,” Henry said.


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