With one day remaining in a long St. Patrick’s Day crackdown on drinking and driving, authorities have made close to 200 arrests.
Throughout the state, 64 agencies are involved in the current “Heat Is On” program, including saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints that will run through 3 a.m. Wednesday.
Alcohol is suspected in the death of a motorcyclist who tried to flee a state trooper Monday night in Colorado Springs, police said.
Police identified the motorcycle driver as William Lee Campbell, 41, of Colorado Springs.
A passenger on the bike, Maria Renee Campbell, 41, of Colorado Springs, was seriously injured, police said.
The DUI efforts this year trumpet the message – “Don’t press your luck!” – when it comes to drinking and driving.
Through the weekend, participating agencies had reported 188 DUI arrests this year, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The Denver Police Department has made 55 arrests, including 24 on Saturday, the day of the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Five people in Colorado were killed during the 2007 St. Patrick’s celebrations in alcohol-related crashes. No one died last year.
In 2008, the St. Patty’s Day crackdown resulted in 355 DUI arrests statewide.
Today, St. Patrick’s Day, celebrations tied to the holiday will culminate.
To help offset drinking and driving, some public transportation companies are offering free rides.
In Boulder, free HOP bus service will be offered from 7 a.m. today until 3 a.m. Wednesday.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
