On November 20th, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies handled three DUIs throughout the day. Each of these calls prevented the investigating deputies from handling other pending calls for service for several hours, and each call could have ended far more tragically.

About an hour after midnight, deputies responded to the 76200 block of London Rd., Cottage Grove. A driver in an SUV went into the ditch and was unable to free his vehicle. Deputies observed signs of impairment, and the driver was arrested for DUI.

At the same time, a deputy conducted a traffic stop after observing a vehicle driving poorly on I-5 at 30th Ave. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, and observed signs the driver was impaired. After investigating, the driver was arrested and a family member was called to collect a juvenile passenger from the vehicle.

Later that day, at about 5 p.m., a deputy responded to a crash on N. Coburg Rd. near Paiute Ln. after a vehicle left the roadway and damaged a public utility box. The deputy observed signs of impairment, however the driver refused to cooperate and then resisted arrest. After transport to the Lane County Jail, a search warrant blood draw was applied for and granted. The driver was lodged at the jail for DUI, Resisting Arrest, and Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon.

As we head into the holiday season, please consider others on the road:

- Plan your safe ride home ahead of time

- If someone you know has been drinking or using drugs, don't let them get behind the wheel

- If you drink or use drugs, do not drive for any reason

- If you’re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver

- And please, always wear your seatbelt!