California Highway Patrol launches zero tolerance DUI campaign

In the past 27 days, five California Highway Patrol officers have been struck by other vehicles while patrolling on state highways, prompting a zero tolerance DUI campaign.

According to CHP, out of the last five collisions involving CHP patrol cars in the San Francisco Bay Area, three were DUI related.

One of the DUI related crashes involved the death of CHP Officer Andrew Camilleri on Christmas Eve.

“All of the collisions could have been prevented through responsible driving by the motorists,” said Golden Gate Division Chief, Ernie Sanchez.

Through the end of January, CHP said drivers can expect to see officers out in force, looking to apprehend impaired drivers.

According to CHP, all available personnel, including command staff, middle managers, supervisors, and officers will be committed to proactively patrolling all state highways with a zero tolerance approach to drunk and/ or drugged drivers.

“The CHP has lost one officer, another is in the hospital with two broken legs, and two others have been sent to the hospital, all because some drivers chose to be irresponsible. It is not common that the Chiefs and command staff go out on patrol to arrest impaired drivers, but we intend to do just that. Enough is enough! The CHP’s core mission is to save lives and prevent injuries and we intend to do just that,” Sanchez said.