Suspected DUI Driver Cuffed Near Scene of Big-Rig Crash

There were plenty of California Highway Patrol officers on the scene of a on Interstate 15 in Murrieta to also stop an alleged DUI driver.

A 60-year-old Temecula man was allegedly swerving in a white Cadillac while heading northbound in the stop-and-go traffic when a retired CHP officer behind him called 911.

"He kept drifting onto the center divide so (the retired officer) called 911," said CHP officer Tony Ramborger.

"Unfortunately we were running around because of this accident so we were able to stop him here at the scene."

But it was not alcohol the Temecula man appeared to be under the influence of, Ramborger said—it was prescription drugs.

"He said he was a diabetic but the Fire Department checked him out and his insulin levels were all in the normal range."

Ramborger said the man, who was not identified, admitted to taking some medication.

"Then we found some other medication on him and he admitted to taking that as well. So it was an abuse of prescription drugs."

The alleged DUI driver was handcuffed and taken to a CHP station, where Ramborger said he would be asked to take a drug recognition test.

"If he passes, I'll take him home. If he fails I'll need to give him a blood test."

Ramborger reminded motorists to heed warning labels on prescription medications.

"They think because the doctor gave it to them it's safe, but it says right on the bottle: don't mix with alcohol, don't operate heavy machinery, don't drive."