Drive Intoxicated, Risk Jail Time This Weekend

The Hazelwood Police Department (HPD) will be conducting two DWI Sobriety Checkpoints during the weekend of May 17-18 at undisclosed locations within the city limits.

The HPD held an earlier checkpoint on April 26 in the 4600 block of Aubuchon Road, one person was arrested for driving while intoxicated. One person was also arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, and four people were ticketed for violations. Three people with warrants out for their arrests were also captured during the checkpoint.

"Sobriety checkpoints are an innovative means of detecting and removing the alcohol-impaired driver from our local streets and highways," Hazelwood Police Chief Gregg Hall said in a statement. "Driving while intoxicated continues to be a major contributing factor of traffic accidents in Missouri."

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According to the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety in 2011, 216 people were killed, 865 seriously injured in accidents that involved at least one impaired driver. Visits the organization's Facebook page, Human Toll, to read stories about the effects of impaired driving.

For more information on the checkpoints contact HDP Sgt. Timothy Burger, Special Operations Group and Traffic Management Team for the Hazelwood Police Department, at 314-513-5228.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol urges all citizens to report any vehicle they observe operating in a careless manner.  The public can call toll-free 800-525-5555 on dial *55 on a cell phone. Also, visit www.saveMOlives.com for more details.

For more crime on Hazelwood Patch see:

• Crime: Mom Pleads Guilty to Murdering Baby; DWI Checkpoints Set For This Weekend
• Hazelwood Police and High Schoolers Top Fundraisers for 2013 Polar Plunge
• Hazelwood Police Are Taking the Polar Plunge