CHP Arrests Healdsburg Man Allegedly Seen Pouring Beer Out Of Car

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Healdsburg man was arrested Saturday on suspicion of DUI, child endangerment and other charges after a California Highway Patrol officer allegedly saw the man pour a bottle of beer out of his car door, a CHP spokesman said. The incident involving 24-year-old Alejandro Gonzalez happened at about 4 p.m. Saturday as Gonzalez was stopped on Steele Lane at the Illinois Avenue intersection in Santa Rosa, according to CHP Officer Jonathan Sloat.

The CHP officer was stopped behind a Buick SUV at the intersection when he observed the Buick driver "open the door and pour out a bottle of beer onto the roadway," Sloat said.

So the officer had the driver — later identified as Gonzalez — pull over.

Upon speaking with Gonzalez, the officer "immediately noted signs of intoxication and a DUI evaluation was conducted," Sloat said.

A records check further revealed Gonzalez had multiple DUI convictions, was unlicensed and was on probation, according to Sloat.

Gonzalez was placed under arrest and two boys — ages 12 and 13 — who were with him in the car were temporarily taken into the custody of Child Protective Services, Sloat said.

The 24-year-old was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, two counts of felony child endangerment, driving on a suspended license, driving a vehicle without an ignition interlock device and two counts of violation of probation.

Sloat said Gonzalez also may face an additional charge of having a fourth DUI within 10 years.

The boys were determined not to be Gonzalez's children and were released to their family, Sloat told Patch.

It was not clear whether Gonzalez remained in custody Wednesday, as jail records for him were not available.

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Photo by Renee Schiavone/Patch