A Costa Mesa Police motor officer responding to a report of a man drinking in his vehicle ended up stopping a silver sedan and arresting the driver after he blew over the legal limit.
With Labor Day weekend ongoing right now, this kind of early‑morning DUI is exactly what local agencies warn about—impaired driving can happen at any hour, not just late at night, and it puts everyone on the road at risk.
Likely charges the driver may face
Based on California law and the facts described, this driver would likely face several charges, including:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI):
- California Vehicle Code
- 23152
- (
- a
- )
- for driving while impaired by alcohol, and
- VC
- 23152
- (
- b
- )
- for driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of
- 0.08
- %
- or higher.
- Possible open container violation: If officers found an open alcoholic beverage in the vehicle, he could face an additional charge under
- VC
- 23222
- or related open‑container statutes.
- Probation or prior‑DUI complications: If he has prior DUI convictions or is on probation, penalties can escalate sharply—longer license suspension, mandatory ignition interlock, and potential jail time.
For a first‑time misdemeanor DUI in California, penalties can include fines, DUI classes, license suspension, and possible jail time, with harsher consequences if there are prior offenses or aggravating factors.
Vehicle impound and possible costs
In many DUI stops, especially when the driver is arrested at the scene, the vehicle is towed and impounded. That means this driver may have to pay:
- Towing fee: Often in the range of about $150–$250 depending on distance and local rates.
- Daily storage fee: Commonly around $40–$80 per day in Southern California impound lots.
Altogether, a short impound can easily cost $300–$600 or more before the vehicle is released, on top of court fines, DUI program fees, and increased insurance premiums.
The back belt: back belt or weightlifting belt?
In the photo, the driver appears to be wearing a supportive belt around his torso along with casual shorts and sandals. The belt looks more like a medical or back‑support belt than a typical weightlifting belt: it’s higher on the torso, broader, and worn over regular clothing in a way consistent with back‑support or posture‑support devices rather than gym gear. A weightlifting belt is usually thicker leather, worn tighter around the lower waist, and typically seen in gym or work settings—not with sandals on a residential street next to a car…