DUI Arrest Made After Officer Hit On I-15 In Temecula Area: CHP

TEMECULA, CA — A San Bernardino man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and hit-and-run early Monday, after plowing into a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent while driving under the influence of alcohol, the California Highway Patrol tells Patch.

The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. on the northbound side of the freeway, at a border checkpoint near Rainbow Valley Boulevard, near the southern edge of the Riverside County line, according to CHP Officer Mike Lassig.

The agent, who has not been publicly identified, was standing at the checkpoint and screening vehicles as they passed through, Lassig said.

"A man in a 2013 black Mini Cooper, with a 28-year-old female passenger, was headed northbound on Interstate 15 and approaching the checkpoint at 60 mph," Lassig said. "[The agent] was struck by this motorist and was propelled into the air and landed on the asphalt."

The driver kept driving north on the freeway for about three-quarters of a mile and then pulled over, according to Lassig.

"The CHP found the car and detained the driver," Lassig said. "The investigating officer determined the driver had been driving under the influence of alcohol."

Jaimie Alejandro Garcia, 30, was ultimately arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and felony hit and run, according to Lassig. Garcia will be booked at the jail in Southwest Riverside County.

Garcia's passenger, Karen Devora of San Bernardino, was arrested on suspicion of delaying and obstructing officers, Lassig said.

The Border Patrol officer was rushed to Inland Valley Medical Center with major injuries.

"The CHP is hoping for the best for the officer and his family and wish him a full recovery," Lassig added.

Caltrans closed the northbound lanes of the Temecula Valley Freeway due to the incident around 4:15 a.m. Traffic reports showed it was at a complete standstill headed northbound following the crash. Southbound traffic was also backed up for several miles, between Rainbow and Murrieta.

However, by 8:30 a.m., traffic appeared to be flowing per normal.

Lassig urged motorists to never drink and drive.

"DUIs are completely preventable," he said. "If you drink, don't drive. It's so careless and avoidable."