Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi charged with DUI
Phoenix Mercury star forward Diana Taurasi was pulled over on July 2 and charged with three DUI related offenses. It was reported by Phoenix police that her BAC was 0.17%, which is twice the legal limit in Arizona (the Arizona legal limit is 0.08%).
A plea of not guilty was filed in Phoenix Municipal Court and Taurasi, 27, is next schedule to appear in court on July 22. Taurasi was stopped around 2:30 a.m. in Phoenix after a police officer observed her vehicle drifting outside the lane of traffic. She reported to the officer that had a few drinks that evening and was on her way to the Phoenician Hotel.
Taurasi was also charged with speeding. According to police reports she was clocked doing almost 55 mph in a 35 mph zone. She pleaded not responsible to the speeding charge. The WNBA declined to comment on the charges.
New Task Force Formed
A new task forced has been formed in Phoenix charged with finding DUI suspects with outstanding warrants. Phoenix is targeting “high risk” offenders, which includes those charged with extreme DUI, Aggravated DUI or repeat DUI arrests. There are approximately 10,000 warrants outstanding as a result of previous DUI arrests. The new task force signals an increased effort to execute court ordered warrants. The Phoenix Police Department reported that those who turn themselves in will be able to avoid jail time longer than the normal DUI sentence. The new task force is called “Operation MADD About It” and is one of a number of tasks forces forming in the Valley to help eliminate drunk driving.
Phoenix Sun Jason Richardson stopped for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol
Phoenix Sun’s guard Jason Richardson was stopped early in the morning of December 21, 2008 by a Salt River Indian Community police officer on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Richardson was also accused of speeding and failure to drive in one lane. Richardson’s vehicle was clocked at 65 mph in a 55 mph zone.
Three people dead in alleged DUI accident in Phoenix
Phoenix police reported that three people died today in a crash they believe might be alcohol or drug related. Witnesses stated that Juan Loera was speeding in a blue Acura down Lower Buckeye Road. The Acura stuck a vehicle carrying four passengers. Passenger Blance Garcia and a 3 year-old boy died as a result of the crash. The driver and another passenger were also injured. Andres Chacon, a passenger in the Acura was pronounced dead at the scene. Phoenix police reported many of the roads in the area were closed for much of Saturday morning as a result of the accident and ongoing investigation.
Comments on this entry are closed.