Sobriety Checkpoint at Clearwater High This Weekend

Drunk and buzzed drivers beware: Authorities will be looking for you this weekend in Clearwater.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and Clearwater Police Department will conduct a joint sobriety checkpoint this weekend near Clearwater High School.

Deputies will stage the checkpoint at the high school, at 540 S. Hercules Ave., beginning at 10 p.m. Friday through 3 a.m. Saturday. They'll be diverting eastbound traffic from State Road 60/Gulf to Bay Boulevard in an effort to catch drivers impaired by alcohol and drugs, the sheriff's office said. Deputies will also be looking for drivers license, registration, insurance, and equipment violations.

The sheriff's office conducts sobriety checks monthly at locations around Pinellas.

Friday's checkpoint is dedicated to Steven Thillard, who died in a 2006 crash. According to a release from the sheriff's office:

On October 10, 2006, 23-year-old Steven was a passenger in a vehicle that was being driven by 24-year-old Matthew Ferguson. Matthew traveled into oncoming traffic in the area of Ridge Road and 8th Avenue in Largo causing a head on collision. Steven suffered severe head trauma and had several brain surgeries as a result. Matthew was impaired at the time of the accident.

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