DUI Crackdowns Kick Off In Lake Elsinore

to see the results of the Dec. 16 Lake Elsinore checkpoint.

On Aug. 14, Murrieta resident

Boehning was riding his motorcycle on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, near the intersection of Clinton Keith Road and Palomar Street, when a silver pickup truck driven by Jose Lujan hit him.

The crash happened around 3:15 p.m. Boehning died at the hospital less than two hours later.

Lujan, 30, was arrested at the crash scene and later pleaded guilty to charges of DUI/gross vehicular manslaughter and being an unlicensed driver.

The Vista man was sentenced to 10 years and is currently serving his sentence.

In memory of Jon Boehning and others like him, Sgt. Marc Cloutier of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station asks if you have ever sent this text message to a friend: “RUOK?”

“If you have to ask someone the question, you already know the answer," the sergeant said. "You know they have had too much to drink or are showing signs of being ‘buzzed.’ You know that they are not okay to drive. Asking the question doesn't relieve you of the responsibility. Call them a cab, take them home yourself, offer your couch.”

The sergeant’s statement came in the form of a news release today advising that deputies and the CHP are on high alert this holiday season, looking to arrest motorists who are driving under the influence.

Known as the Avoid the 30 DUI Taskforce, the crackdown begins tomorrow and lasts through Jan. 2.

To kick it off, the Lake Elsinore Police Department will conduct a DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint somewhere in the city tomorrow from 8 p.m. through 3 a.m.

“DUI/ driver's license checkpoints, multi agency DUI Task Force deployments and roving DUI patrols are scheduled locally in partnership with law enforcement statewide and around the county during the winter holiday anti-DUI campaign,” the sergeant wrote. “DUI checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Grant-funded drug recognition experts will be staffing most of the checkpoints.”

The sergeant said the Lake Elsinore Police Department has numerous additional DUI checkpoints and operations scheduled throughout the coming year.

“In December 2009, there were 753 people killed nationwide in crashes that involved drivers or motorcycle riders with blood alcohol concentrations of .08 Blood Alcohol Content,” the sergeant said. “In California, 57 individuals died on the states streets and highways.

“There will be no spreading holiday cheer behind the bars of a jail cell,” Sgt. Cloutier continued. “Don't let your 2011 holiday season end in an arrest or worse, death. Remember, whether you've had way too many or just one too many, it's not worth the risk.”