Driving Force Behind DUI Prosecution Grant

San Andreas, CA — For the fourth straight year, the Calaveras County District Attorney’s office has received a state grant aimed at getting drunk drivers off the roadways.

The $160,778.00 grant comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety for a “Vertical Prosecution” team that will work cases from arrest through sentencing, according to the D.A.’s office. “In addition to providing us with the resources to aggressively pursue DUI’s more efficiently and build our expertise in drug related DUI’s,” explains Calaveras County District Attorney Barbara Yook, “We are very excited that our RlD (Reduce Impaired Driving) Team will be able to continue its outreach efforts, educating both youth and adults in our County about the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence.”

Yook explains that in fatal and major injury DUI crashes, members of the team may even head to the scene to be part of the investigation. In 2013, there were 2 deaths and 43 serious injuries as a result of DUI crashes in the Calaveras County. Funding for the program comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.