El Dorado County ranks 5th in State for lethal DUIs

Due to some sobering facts, El Dorado County District Attorney's Office is ramping up efforts in preventing drunk driving.

While the full-time population in the county is fairly small, a large number of visitors increase those numbers during ski season, holidays, gold country and winery visits, gambling at Red Hawk and Stateline, and during trips to Apple Hill.

El Dorado County ranks fifth worst in the state for lethal drunk driving incidents involving drivers between the ages of 21 and 34, and third worst in the state for drunk driving incidents involving drivers under the age of 21.

District Attorney Pierson recognized that the region has a major problem with drunk driving, and went after funding to enhance his department's enforcement and investigative sides where drunk driving is involved. The grant from Office of Traffic Safety allows more efficient investigations from the DA's office as well as making stronger cases for prosecution.

The goal of this unit is to hold DUI violators responsible for their actions with aggressive investigations and prosecutions, while also protecting victims' rights and keeping the community a safe place to live, work and visit. This specialized unit is dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of felony DUI cases, including cases involving vehicular manslaughter and DUI homicides.

“Having the same prosecutors and investigators working on these cases from the investigative stages through the court process to jury trial is the best way to ensure the swift and thorough pursuit of justice," said Pierson.

Prevention of drunk driving requires a two pronged call to action - effective law enforcement investigation and prosecution and public involvement and awareness of the problem. "Remember, if you see something, say something," added Pierson.