The Blotter | DUI accident at the intersection of Oakland and Highland

Driver was under the influence at the time of the accident

According to police, one of the drivers involved in an accident was under the influence of alcohol.

The accident occurred in the early evening of June 14 at the intersection of Oakland Avenue and Highland Avenue. Piedmont Police officers arrived at the scene around 5:20 p.m. Two cars were damaged at the intersection.

According to Piedmont Police Department Captain Chris Monahan, police were told one of the drivers had hidden “a bag of alcohol” in a bush after the crash. He said the driver, identified as Mario Arias, showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol. A breathalyzer test was administered and Arias failed it, according to Monahan. Preliminary blood tests showed readings of .225 and .228 percent. A blood draw warrant was obtained.

Arias was arrested and taken to Santa Rita Prison in Dublin. He was on probation for drink driving and was charged with drink driving, his second drink driving offense in 10 years and his second probation violation.

On June 13, an unknown suspect entered a construction site on Ronada Avenue and stole tools valued at $5,800. The suspect entered the scene between 3:08 and 4:15 a.m. A traffic camera captured a gray Honda Element pulled up at the scene with California license plate 8JAC472, which Captain Monahan said may be connected to the crime.

Sometime between 8:30 p.m. on June 8 and 9:30 a.m. on June 9, an unknown suspect entered a residence on Moraga Avenue. through an open kitchen window. The victim was not home, according to Captain Monahan. The suspect allegedly ate the victim’s food, took a shower, and stole items valued at $1,200.

On June 11, at 9:37 p.m., a car accident was reported on Scenic Avenue. When officers arrived, they found a black 2021 Mini Cooper that had collided with a concrete pole. The driver was uninjured and refused medical attention. However, according to Captain Monahan, the officer observed that the driver was showing signs of being under the influence of alcohol.

The driver required assistance to stand up and was unable to pass a breathalyzer test. A preliminary breathalyzer test showed results of 0.25 and 0.26 percent blood alcohol levels, according to Captain Monahan.

The driver was taken to the Santa Rita Jail and a breathalyzer test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.24 percent, according to Captain Monahan. He was charged with drunk driving.

On June 10 at 2:51 p.m. a 2001 Kawasaki ZR-7S motorcycle was reported stolen from the sidewalk of Blair Avenue. The motorcycle was later found on Scenic and returned to its registered owner.