In an ongoing effort to get drunk drivers off of the roadways, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with the Maryland State Police, Leonardtown Barrack and the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office conducted a Border to Border Driving While Intoxicated Checkpoint on Saturday, April 25, from 11 p.m. to midnight. The location of the Checkpoint was at the base, on both sides, of the Thomas Johnson Bridge, in Solomons and California. Three Hundred and Forty Three (343) vehicles passed through checkpoint. Two vehicles were pulled over so the driver could be tested further for impaired driving. One driver was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
At the conclusion of the operation, as the officers were breaking down the Checkpoint, Calvert County Emergency Communications dispatched a lookout for a vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle were suspects wanted for questioning in connection with an armed robbery which had just occurred in Calvert County. The vehicle passed through the Checkpoint area. Approximately six officers gave chase on foot after the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was stopped; the driver and passenger apprehended and turned over to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office.
Sobriety Checkpoints are set up to identify impaired drivers and are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
