DUI Crashes Lead To Arrests

California Highway Patrol reports a number of accidents and resulting drunk driving arrests this weekend.

Officers say 57-year-old West Point resident Paulette Schmitt drove her pick-up truck 150 feet off the roadway of Highway 26 near Stanley Road before hitting a pine tree and stopping. CHP says deep snow kept her from fleeing the scene. She was not injured but was booked for D.U.I.

Carolyn Wallace of Douglas Flat was arrested by highway patrol officers when the 55-year-old woman turned onto what she thought was Live Oak Drive from Highway 4 in Douglas Flat. The CHP says due to her intoxication, she missed the turn by 100 yards, instead, going over the embankment.

A 44 year-old Valley Springs woman was arrested Sunday night after hitting a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 12 at Highway 26, then leaving the scene without reporting the accident.

Highway patrol officers say Catherine Vega had been drinking and was using her cell phone at the time of the crash. A Calaveras County Sheriffs deputy saw the incident and called in CHP to assist on the traffic stop.

Highway patrol reports a Dublin man was arrested for drunk driving near Dorrington after his vehicle spun out and hit a snowbank.

CHP says 44-year-old Harold Lea was traveling too fast without chains or snow tires in a chain control area on Highway 4 at Sierra Parkway when the accident occurred.