A 27-year-old South Lake Tahoe man was arrested Friday on a felony DUI charge after a single-vehicle rollover crash Friday that injured a passenger, a South Lake Tahoe police sergeant said. Extra patrolling and DUI checkpoints are happening this July 4 weekend throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin.
The crash happened at around 2 a.m. on Pioneer Trail near Woodbine Road. When officers arrived on scene, they found a blue Chevrolet Trailblazer resting on its roof. Witnesses identified the driver of the Trailblazer, Benjamin Bassett. One of Bassett’s passengers was taken to Barton Memorial Hospital for minor injuries.
Further investigation into the cause of the traffic collision showed that Bassett was traveling west bound on Pioneer Trail in excess of 50 mph and was under the influence of alcohol. The posted safe speed on Pioneer Trail in this area is 35 mph. Later tests showed that Bassett’s blood alcohol concentration was in excess of .11 percent.
Bassett was arrested and booked into the El Dorado County Jail for driving while under the influence of alcohol causing injury, a felony.
The South Lake Tahoe Police Department will have extra officers working over this holiday weekend targeting DUI drivers.
Saturation patrols in South Lake Tahoe will continue through Sunday, plus Nevada law enforcement is holding a DUI check point at Lake Tahoe in Douglas County during the July 4 weekend, said Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Dave Gibson.
Meanwhile, there will be a saturation patrols in South Lake Tahoe through July 5, plus Nevada law enforcement will hold a DUI check point at Lake Tahoe in Douglas County during the July 4 weekend, said NHP Trooper Dave Gibson.
"The increase in law enforcement presence at Lake Tahoe will help deter motorists and pedestrians from entering the roadways while impaired," said Gibson. "In addition to the check point, additional officers will be patrolling the area roadways throughout the weekend to further protect pedestrians and other motorists from impaired drivers.
The DUI checkpoint is being funded by a Joining Forces grant from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety. Due to the fireworks display and other special events planned at Lake Tahoe, a large volume in both vehicle and pedestrian traffic expected during the holiday.