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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A Labor Day weekend DUI enforcement effort in Pinellas County resulted in hundreds of citations and dozens of charges, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The operation, known as a ‘DUI Wolf Pack,’ ran from 7 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday.
Multiple law enforcement agencies joined the Sheriff’s Office in patrolling county roadways and conducting DUI checks.
The effort centered on tragedy occurring at the intersection of 22nd Avenue North and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street in St. Petersburg — the site of a 2010 crash that killed Elroy McConnell and his three sons.
The Sheriff’s Office said a driver ran a red light driving at 80 miles per hour, struck their car, and caused the four to hit a pole resulting in the four being killed instantly.
The driver, Demetrius Jordan, was sentenced to 44 years in prison in 2012.
Deputies said it is a tragedy that is driving their enforcement efforts.
“They still have loved ones, they still have family out there so we don’t want them to feel like they’ve been forgotten,” said Deputy Geoff Moore.
In total, deputies said 339 citations were issued and 37 criminal charges were filed.
Results of DUI Wolf Pack operation
Criminal charges:
- DUI’s – 22
- Felony Drug Charges – 2
- Misdemeanor Drug Charges – 2
- Warrant – 2
- DWLSR Arrests – 2
- Other Misdemeanor Arrest – 6
- Other Felony Arrest – 1
Citations:
- DWLSR – 20
- No Insurance – 6
- Speeding Tickets – 72
- Seat Belt – 1
- Violation of Driver’s License Restrictions – 3 Open Container – 1 Non-Moving Violations – 79 Moving Violations – 135 DUI Citations – 22
Officials are reminding drivers that rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are a safer option, noting the cost of a ride is minimal compared to the legal and financial consequences of a DUI.
“That $30 to $50 is going to be pennies on the dime to what you have to pay for restitution, bailing out of jail, getting your license back, going to classes, and incarceration as well,” Moore said. “So really, just take a moment to think about your decisions and make the right choice.”
