Yahoo! News reports police departments in the Tri-Cities area of Washington were kept busy by a series of DUI incidents, several involving crashes and one that turned into a major drug bust.
Officers with the Kennewick Police Department saw two separate incidents of DUI hit-and-run over the weekend.
Authorities say that 30-year-old Omar Mendoza was arrested early Monday, July 24, on the charge of DUI hit-and-run after he lost control of his vehicle and hit a traffic sign in the 400 block of North Volland Street.
Mendoza attempted to flee the scene but was quickly apprehended by officers. He was transported to Trios Southridge Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. After he was released, he was booked into the Benton County Jail.
A judge has set Mendoza’s bond at $2,500 for suspicion of DUI, hit-and-run, and interfering with a healthcare facility.
In a separate incident on Sunday, July 25, Tyler Devoir, 39, was arrested after he struck a stop sign, left the crash scene on just one tire, and crashed into several parked vehicles at Spare Time Lanes bowling alley.
Devoir was arrested and is being held on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, hit-and-run, property damage, and obstructing law enforcement. Devoir remains in custody on a $2,500 bond.
On Saturday, July 24, West Richland Police Department dispatchers received a report of a possible DUI in progress. Police officers stopped the suspect vehicle and found more than an intoxicated driver.
Officers found 2,000 fentanyl pills and white crystalline powder suspected to be methamphetamine. The identity of the suspect is being withheld pending further investigation.
Richland Police also had multiple DUIs. On Sunday, Tyler Maxwell Bates was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving on a suspended or revoked license.
That same day, Ernesto Bolanos-Diaz was also arrested on suspicion of DUI and three counts of reckless endangerment.
Officials say that Tri-Cities Police Departments usually make more arrests during the last week of July when the Water Follies is held.
