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Police Conduct Largest S. Miami DUI Checkpoint

MIAMI (CBS4)- Police pulled over drivers along US 1 looking for licenses and registrations, and less than 15 minutes into the operation one person was led away in handcuffs.

It's all part of South Miami Police Department's Multiagency DUI Checkpoint on Friday, which began at 8 p.m. at 63 Ave S. Dixie Hwy, north and south on S. Dixie Highway. Officers targeted impaired drivers, defective equipment violations, drivers with suspended licenses and seat belt violations.  We will provide high visibility in an effort to reduce vehicle crashes and DUI violations.

In the first hour, CBS4's Maggie Newland reported that one person was arrested for driving with a suspended license while another had license issues, with possible narcotics issues. In total, 600 cars were stopped and checked by 11 p.m.

"My daughter was killed by a drunk driver, and too many people are killed and this is an excellent way to stop it," Helen Witty said.

Witty said she comes out to support the police officers and bakes them her daughter's favorite cookies, hoping the officers will think of her daughter while they're working.

"She was wonderful," Witty said. "She was 16 when she was rollerblading on a bike path and was run over by a drunken stoned teenage girl. It's been 10 years now and this is where we are."

Major Rene Landa South Miami Police Department said they are trying to prevent DUI accidents and deaths from occurring.

"Our main goal obviously is to keep somebody intoxicated from driving on our roads before they commit another tragedy in another family," Landa said.

SMPD partnered with MADD and  various police departments including:

  • Miami Police Department
  • Florida Highway Patrol
  • Department of Homeland Security- Immigration & Customs Enforcement
  • Coral Gables Police Department
  • University of Miami Police Department
  • Hialeah Police Department
  • Miami Beach Police Department
  • Medley Police Department
  • Miami Dade School Board Police Department
  • Key Biscayne Police Department
  • Pinecrest Police Department
  • West Miami Police Department
  • Sweetwater Police Department

The check point concludes at 4 a.m.

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