Weekend DUI emphasis patrol nets more than 50 arrests in Thurston and Pierce counties

CHELSEA KROTZER/Staff writer

Multiple jurisdictions participated in DUI emphasis patrols last weekend that resulted in more than 50 arrests in Thurston and Pierce counties.

The Washington State Patrol and the Target Zero Thurston County Task Force participated in emphasis patrols, putting extra officers and troopers on the road looking specifically for impaired drivers over the weekend.

The State Patrol arrested 51 people on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the two counties.

One of those arrests was related to a crash that resulted in the death of a 9-year-old boy thrown from a car on state Route 16 in Pierce County.

In addition to the State Patrol arrests, the combined efforts of eight Thurston County departments resulted in the arrest of six additional suspects.

The 14 officers from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, Olympia, Lacey, Yelm, Tumwater, Tenino, Nisqually Tribal and Chehalis Tribal police departments also made 237 contacts with drivers during the emphasis patrol.

“Our officers contacted many drivers during Friday and Saturday nights,” said Jerry Noviello, Target Zero manager. “Although only six impaired drivers were arrested, the team did an excellent job of identifying potentially impaired drivers and ensuring that they were able to drive safely.”

Chelsea Krotzer: 360-754-5476 ckrotzer@theolympian.com theolympian.com/thisjustin @chelseakrotzer