DUI Wolfpack To Be Conducted By Pinellas Sheriff, Police Departments

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Deputies, in conjunction with several partner agencies, are joining this weekend to conduct a DUI Wolf Pack operation in Pinellas County.

The participating agencies include the Belleair Police Department, Clearwater Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Indian Shores Police Department, Largo Police Department, Pinellas Park Police Department, St. Petersburg Police Department and Treasure Island Police Department.

The DUI Wolf Pack operation will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, and will continue until 5 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30.

The operation is part of the Pinellas County Sheriff's ongoing commitment to reduce deaths, injuries and property damage associated with traffic crashes related to impaired driving. The goal of the Wolf Pack is to educate people and create public awareness about the dangers of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and any chemical or controlled substances.

The DUI Wolf Pack is dedicated in the memory of Douglas Cade Jr. and Jason Rzechula. On Dec. 15, 2021, just before 2 a.m., Cade and Rzechula were traveling on Interstate 4 in Cade's vehicle when they were struck by an impaired driver traveling 154 mph. Both men were killed as a result of the crash. Cade left behind his mother and brother. Rzechula left behind his mother, father, sister, daughter and son.

The impaired driver had a blood alcohol level near the .08 limit and sustained injuries, as did two female passengers who were sitting in the front seat of his Audi R8. The impaired driver was found guilty of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and DUI with serious injury, and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.