By Jorge Casuso
August 27, 2025 -- Santa Monica police will hold DUI checkpoint Friday that comes in the wake of a series of unusual arrests for driving under the influence during a one-month stretch.
The DUI checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed location determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes.
The most recent checkpoint, which are intended to take suspected impaired drivers off the road, was held on July 25 in the 1000 block of Santa Monica Boulevard.
The checkpoint resulted in 4 DUI arrests -- two for driving under the influence of alcohol, one for drugs and one for driving under a combination of both, according to SMPD's weekly blog, the Blue Notebook.
Two days after the checkpoint, a driver was arrested for felony DUI and hit-and-run after exiting Beach Lot 4 in Ocean Park with the victim on the hood of his car.
The incident took place as officers responded to a traffic collision in which "the at-fault driver was attempting to flee."
"The driver of the other vehicle jumped onto the hood of the suspect's car to stop them," according to the report in The Blue Notebook.
"Officers located the vehicle as it was exiting the lot at a low speed with the victim still on the hood," police said. "The victim complained of back pain."
During the week of June 29 the Police Department held an enhanced traffic enforcement operation that resulted in two DUI arrests.
In one incident, an officer pulled a vehicle over after observing a driver inhaling from a large balloon, according to the crime blog.
"The driver was determined to be driving under the influence and was found in possession of a nitrous oxide tank, with passengers including a small child in the vehicle.
"Additionally, the driver had a suspended license for DUI and was on parole. The driver was arrested for drug violations and with child endangerment."
Another DUI arrest was made after patrol officers conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle with no front plate.
"Upon stopping, a passenger exited and attempted to leave the scene, refusing officer commands," according to police.
Officers arrested the passenger for resisting an officer and possession of an open container in a vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended license due to a prior DUI.
SMPD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.
Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
Funding for Friday's program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
