Seven drivers were arrested for DUI in St. Lucie County over the Independence Day weekend as deputies ramped up patrols to keep impaired motorists off the road.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that its Traffic and DUI Enforcement Detail ran a high-visibility operation from July 3 through July 5, 2026, placing five deputies on the streets solely to watch for impaired driving and other dangerous violations during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
Deputies Hand Out Hundreds Of Citations And Warnings
By the end of the three-day push, the numbers told the story of just how active the roads were. Deputies issued 332 traffic citations and warnings in total, made up of 35 citations and 297 warnings. Seven people were arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence, with some facing additional charges tied to the same stops.
Among those taken into custody was Carlos Janier Baez Ortiz, 56, of Fort Pierce, who was arrested on DUI charges along with possession of cocaine and smuggling contraband into a detention facility. Christopher Quinones, 37, of Port St. Lucie, and Chandra McCrary, 53, of Fort Pierce, were each arrested on DUI charges.
Ignacio Avila Olvera, 62, of Port St. Lucie, and Roseanna Harsha, 42, of Fort Pierce, both face enhanced DUI charges tied to a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher, or having a minor under 18 in the vehicle at the time. Christian Katherine Hope Domin, 29, of Port St. Lucie, was also arrested for DUI. Jessica Jaramillo, 34, of Vero Beach, faces a DUI charge along with two counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage.
All of those named are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, and the charges listed are allegations rather than proof of wrongdoing.
Sheriff Praises Deputies For Giving Up Holiday Time
Sheriff Richard Del Toro thanked the deputies who worked through the holiday to run the operation, calling drunk driving a reckless choice that can destroy lives in an instant. He said the agency plans to keep pushing an aggressive stance on DUI enforcement because public safety remains the department’s top priority.
The Sheriff’s Office said the enforcement effort is part of a broader strategy that combines patrols with education and community outreach aimed at cutting down on impaired driving countywide.
Officials are urging residents to line up a sober driver, call a rideshare, or arrange another way home before they start drinking.
The agency also encouraged residents to follow its Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for ongoing updates on local safety initiatives and news from the department.
