In the dead of night, Victorville deputies made an unexpected find on Hesperia Road, stumbling upon a Chevy Silverado with its engine running and a pair of men sleeping off what appeared to be the effects of a boozy bender. Jaime Rodriguez, 51, and Harry Cruz, 37, both from Whittier, were arrested on alcohol-related charges after deputies were alerted to their stalled vehicle on April 5, 2024.
According to the Sheriff's report, the law enforcement officers arrived at the Cherry Hill Drive intersection around 2:46 a.m., just minutes after receiving a call about the vehicle obstructing traffic. On approach, deputies found an unexpected scene: Rodriguez and Cruz, unconscious, surrounded by evidence of their revelry, specifically beer bottles that littered the interior of the Silverado.
Rodriguez, the driver of the ill-parked pick-up, now faces charges for VC 23152(A) - Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, and VC 23152(B) - Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with 0.08 Percent or more. Meanwhile, Cruz earned himself a booking for PC 647(F) - Drunk in Public. Both men were hauled off to High Desert Detention Center to sober up behind bars. The incidents outlined in the report paint a picture of inebriation taken to the extreme, resulting in a vehicular mishap that posed a potential danger to all on the road at the time.
Officials are continuing to dig into the full circumstances surrounding the incident, while actively seeking information from the public. For those with knowledge about the circumstances leading to this public safety faux pas, the Victorville Police Station and Sheriff’s Dispatch can be contacted. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the We-Tip hotline or the We-Tip website. In the statement obtained by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, authorities remind the public of the dangers of drinking and driving, a message made all too clear by incidents such as this one.
