Indio CHP arrests 21 for DUI over 4th of July weekend

The California Highway Patrol stepped up enforcement over the 4th of July holiday weekend in the Indio area. The statistics released Tuesday show a decrease in traffic collisions and an increase in arrests over the previous year.

According to a CHP release, the ‘maximum enforcement period’ began at 6 p.m. on July 3, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on July 6.

Results from maximum enforcement period:

2014 2013 2012 Total Collisions 9 13 7 Fatal Collisions 0 1 0 Injury Collisions 4 5 3 DUI Collisions 2 1 1 DUI Arrests 21 13 4

It’s important to keep in mind that these numbers only apply to incidents on highways and interstates involving the increased enforcement from Indio CHP officers.

There was one deadly collision reported in Palm Springs on the 4th of July involving a suspected drunk driver who drove off after killing 53-year-old Mark Norton of Palm Springs on N. Indian Canyon Drive.

Palm Springs resident David Buckley Doyle, 55, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and hit-and-run driving.

Officers realize holiday weekends are especially dangerous due to the amount of traffic on the road, and because people tend to party a bit more and don’t always make great decisions.

CHP asks everyone to use a sober driver or take an alternate safe method of transportation if necessary.