With only four DUI arrests over the holiday weekend, one arrest
for suspicion of being drunk in public and one citation issued for
fireworks, Morgan Hill Police say the holiday weekend was a
“very successful Fourth of July weekend.”
With only four DUI arrests over the holiday weekend, one arrest for suspicion of being drunk in public and one citation issued for fireworks, Morgan Hill Police say the holiday weekend was a “very successful Fourth of July weekend.”
Alfredo Garcia, 56, of Santa Ana, Alfredo Gomez, 26, of Morgan Hill, Kristine Perham, 30, of Morgan Hill and Jeffrey Widergren, 43, of Morgan Hill were charged with driving under the influence during the long weekend. It can be a busy time for police departments, with drinking and driving problems exacerbated by people out enjoying the weather and activities and visiting with family and friends.
The Morgan Hill festivities, including the parade, the family fun festival and the fireworks display, are opportunities for problems with people drinking too much and causing problems, but MHPD Lt. Joe Sampson said there was only one arrest for suspicion of being drunk in public.
“Other than those incidents, it was a very busy but very good holiday weekend,” Sampson said.
The potential for fireworks activity – aside from the spectacular professional display – also means officers spend a lot of time investigating calls.
This year, officers handled 39 fireworks-related calls. In each case, Sampson said, by the time officers arrived, the evidence was cleared up “and people were looking terribly innocent.”
There were no injuries related to fireworks.
One citation was issued, however, to Joseph Mayher, 46, of Morgan Hill. Police received the call about 10:45 p.m. on Sunday about someone setting off bottle rockets. Officers were in the area, and when they arrived, they noticed a bunch of debris from firecrackers. Then they heard the noise and saw the flash of fireworks going off at 17446 Belletto Drive.
Officers determined there were enough fireworks remnants to issue the citation, which will be reviewed by the city attorney and then go on to the district attorney, if the city attorney decides it is appropriate, for a penalty or fine. The fine can be up to $1,000 and six months in jail, but it is up to the district attorney.
Sampson said Morgan Hill came through the holiday weekend in good shape, particularly for a city of its size. There were no assaults, no out-of-control parties, and no serious crimes against people.
And while Gilroy police were also satisfied with the relatively crime-free weekend, CHP officials and anyone traveling Highway 101 in the area this weekend were not so pleased. Between a fatal motorcycle wreck and a 12-hour backup for an overturned tanker truck, the highway was a mess this Fourth of July.
Eldred Jenkins, 43, of San Martin, died in an accident involving his 1993 Harley-Davidson motorcycle at 7 Sunday night on the northbound San Martin Avenue offramp from U.S. 101. His tire slipped on a diesel fuel spill and he lost control, was thrown from the bike and died from his injuries, the California Highway Patrol reported.
This was one of 30 wrecks – 14 with injuries – the CHP responded to in the Hollister-Gilroy patrol area between 3 p.m. Friday and 4:45 p.m. Monday.
