The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), in partnership with the Tampa Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol and the University of South Florida Police Department, conducted a DUI enforcement operation across Hillsborough County during the Fourth of July weekend.
The joint operation targeted impaired drivers on both roadways and waterways, with deputies and officers patrolling throughout the county to identify and remove intoxicated drivers and boat operators.
DUI operation results:
Traffic stops: 263
Warnings: 235
Traffic citations: 28
DUI arrests: 37
Other arrests: 0
Vessel stops: 74
Boating under the influence (BUI) arrests: 0
“Every impaired driver we took off the road this weekend was at least one life potentially saved,” said Chad Chronister in a press release. “This joint operation with our local law enforcement partners should be a warning that the impaired operation of any vehicle or vessel, on land or water, will not be tolerated in Hillsborough County.”
Early-morning crash during traffic stop
In one of the 37 DUI arrests, a traffic stop escalated after a separate vehicle struck a patrol car.
Just before 4 a.m. on July 6, a Hillsborough deputy observed a vehicle traveling without headlights and initiated a traffic stop near North Dale Mabry Highway and Medical Drive.
During the stop, deputies observed the driver, Keinier Contreras Villa, 28, and passenger Antonia Evangelista, 55, allegedly switching seats inside the vehicle.
Villa was arrested and faces charges including driving under the influence, driving without a valid license, possession of cocaine and resisting an officer without violence.
Evangelista was also arrested and faces charges for a second DUI conviction and refusal to submit to testing.
While deputies were handling the stop, a Nissan Rogue rolled into a patrol vehicle. No injuries were reported, according to HCSO.
Officials said the agency remains committed to year-round DUI enforcement and urged residents to always use a designated driver.