“This is an epidemic,” Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp said Wednesday about the rise in DUI arrests and accidents in the county.

At a news conference attended by other law enforcement leaders, Smittcamp described the increase in DUI cases as a “perfect storm,” attributing it to the normalization of drugs and alcohol in today’s music and social media.

She shared case statistics, noting that as of Wednesday, 3,556 misdemeanor DUI cases and 232 felony cases had been filed in 2024 ahead of the holiday season. In comparison, there were 3,892 misdemeanors and 270 felonies in all of 2022, and 4,840 misdemeanors and 308 felonies in 2023.

“Those numbers are shocking. They are appalling because every one of those drivers had a choice,” Smittcamp said. “If you have a conviction for DUI, either felony or misdemeanor, and you choose to do that behavior again, you can and will be prosecuted for murder should you engage in that behavior again and someone is killed.”

Tragic Story of Local DUI Crash

Juan Pulido of Coalinga shared his personal story at the news conference. On New Year’s Day in 2020, his family was returning home from San Luis Obispo when tragedy struck. On Highway 33 near Avenal, a speeding driver who had been partying with friends crashed into their vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and catch fire.

Nine people died in the crash, including the drunken driver of the SUV who caused the head-on collision, Daniel Luna 28, of Atwater.

Pulido lost his wife, Gabriela, and their four children, ages 8 to 15, and three young relatives. He urged people to be responsible and prevent impaired individuals from driving to avoid similar tragedies.

“What keeps me going are the memories I made with my kids. You know, they help me wake up,” Pulido said.

He emphasized that the driver had been partying, and no one stopped him, leading to the crash that took his family.

The driver’s blood alcohol level was 0.21%, nearly three times California’s legal limit. And his vehicle was traveling 88-to-98 miles per hour, crash investigators said.

Pulido is among many DUI crash survivors advocating for all new vehicles in the U.S. to be equipped with blood alcohol monitoring systems that can stop an intoxicated person from driving.

“It’s something that their families have to live with,” he said in 2022 of the tragic and unnecessary loss of life. “It doesn’t go away tomorrow.”

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Fresno Law Enforcement Focused on Holiday Enforcement

Interim Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto emphasized the department’s commitment to DUI enforcement, stating that officers patrol seven days a week and arrest impaired drivers. She announced plans for four major operations during the holiday season, in addition to regular saturation patrols and checkpoints.

“Just last year, 2023, the Fresno Police Department made over 2,400 DUI arrests. So, odds are pretty good that you could get caught up by one of our officers if you choose to drink and drive,” Casto said.

Casto also highlighted the steep financial penalties.

“Enforcement action can mean $10,000, $13,000 more in fees for the DUI arrestee,” she said, noting that these costs, combined with jail time and impound fees, can have significant consequences for those who drive under the influence.

California Highway Patrol Lt. Ryan Monahan said officers are preparing for increased traffic on California roadways during the holidays and noted the large number of crashes in Fresno County.

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“Just this year, in Fresno County, the California Highway Patrol has already investigated over 3,800 crashes, 60 of which involved a fatality, and 359 involved someone driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs,” Monahan said.

Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni noted the county’s grim statistics, as well.

“In 2022, in Fresno County, we had 246 individuals who were killed in motor vehicle accidents. In 2023, we had 182 individuals that were killed in motor vehicle accidents here in Fresno County. Looking at the numbers, approximately 15% of those are DUI-related,” he said.

Zanoni stressed that sheriff’s deputies would be vigilant in arresting impaired drivers: “If you are encountered and are under the influence, you will be arrested for DUI. Our message is simple: If you’ve been drinking or under the influence, don’t drive.”

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