Weekend checkpoints result in seven Norman arrests

By James S. Tyree

Published: May 28, 2008

NORMAN — Norman police arrested seven people and cited four others after stopping more than 1,000 drivers at two checkpoints during the Memorial Day weekend.

A Norman police news release stated a 26-year-old man suspected of driving under the influence while a toddler and infant were in the vehicle was among those arrested.

Officers conducted a sobriety checkpoint from 11:30 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday at Lindsey Street and Wylie Road.

They stopped 565 drivers there and made four arrests on driving under the influence.

Officers conducted the second checkpoint near 156th Avenue NE and Little Axe Drive from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday. They checked 447 drivers, made three arrests and issued three citations.

The man with the two young children was arrested at the Sunday checkpoint on complaints of driving under the influence and child endangerment.

Police said he was tested to have a blood alcohol content of 0.13 percent and that an open beer can was found in a diaper bag in addition to empty beer cans throughout the vehicle.

Officers cared for the toddler and baby until their mother arrived, the news release stated.

Also at the Sunday checkpoint, another arrest was made on suspicion of driving under the influence. A third arrest occurred when a driver made a U-turn apparently to avoid the checkpoint. That driver was arrested on Norman municipal warrants and a complaint of driving under suspension.

The Norman Police Department was among many across the country that cracked down on drunken driving and other traffic safety violations during Memorial Day weekend.

Norman police Capt. Leonard Judy said every driver who came upon the sobriety checkpoint was checked for possible alcohol-related violations.

"They check every vehicle and we normally take about 30 seconds a car,” Judy said. "Normally we have several officers at multiple places at the checkpoint, so officers can check two or three at a time.”

Comments