Patrol’s Sobriety Checkpoints Target School Celebrants

High school graduates celebrating their commencements were targeted by the California Highway Patrol at sobriety checkpoints in Los Angeles and Orange counties, authorities said Sunday.

But while the two checkpoint operations led to 24 arrests of suspected intoxicated drivers, only one motorist under the age of 18 was arrested, Officer Kevin Dougherty said.

In East Los Angeles, 778 motorists passed through the eight-hour roadblock, authorities said. Of the 33 field sobriety tests given, 14 motorists failed and were taken into custody. In Huntington Beach, 426 motorists passed through the roadblock and 10 suspected drunk drivers were arrested, including one juvenile, Dougherty said.