Concerned Driver Calls in DUII, Police Say it Makes a Difference on Holiday Weekend

Oregon State Police praised a cell caller's involvement as an example of how citizens can help keep our highways safe this holiday weekend.

OSP in action File photo by: Tim King

(ROSEBURG) - A citizen's call on a cell phone to report a dangerous driver led to a DUII arrest east of Roseburg Friday, it was the fourth this weekend, which technically hadn't started yet.

Friday at about 10:50 AM, a citizen called the local OSP office on a cellphone to say they were behind a vehicle that was driving in an erratic manner.

Based on the information provided by the citizen, Trooper Teresa Bloom of the OSP Roseburg Area Command spotted the vehicle about 15 minutes later on Highway 138E near milepost 4 and stopped it. The contact led to the driver's arrest for DUII.

Bloom says alcohol did not appear to was not involved but was able to determine that the driver was likely under the influence of a narcotic analgesic, oxycodone.

The driver, identified as 48-year old Althea Adalia of Glide, Oregon, was transported to the Douglas County Jail where she was cited and released for DUII - Controlled Substance and Fail to Maintain Single Lane of Travel.

"This is a great example of a concerned citizen observing poor driving, and letting us know about it," said OSP Lieutenant Doug Ladd. "The citizen gave a great description of the vehicle and the location of travel. Based upon that accurate information, a state trooper was able to locate the vehicle and get a dangerous driver off the road."

As the holiday weekend begins, drivers are reminded to drive safely, and report dangerous and possible intoxicated drivers to Oregon State Police at 1-800-24DRUNK (1-800-243-7865) or 9-1-1.