I-215 Wrong Way DUI Driver Halted By San Bernardino CHP Officers: CHP

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — A suspected DUI driver heading the wrong way on Interstate 215 was halted by CHP officers early Friday, California Highway Patrol Sgt. Robert Bernardino said.

The driver, identified only as a 20-year-old San Bernardino resident, was taken into custody after being halted by CHP officers. He was booked on charges of driving under the influence, Bernardino told Patch.

Just after 2 a.m., a wrong-way driver entered the I-215 freeway at Kendall Drive in San Bernardino County, according to CHP. He was initially headed northbound in southbound lanes of traffic for about five minutes, Bernardino said.

Officers performed a traffic break on I-215 just north of University Boulevard to protect drivers from the wrong way car. Then, they noticed the driver had switched directions, according to Bernardino.

"The driver was now heading southbound in the northbound lanes," he told Patch. The officers then rammed the wrong way car, described as a Nissan Altima. It came to rest along an embankment, and the driver exited the car and fled on foot.

"Officers gave chase, and took the suspect into custody," Bernardino said. Though he said he was uninjured, San Bernardino County Fire Department medics took him to a nearby Loma Linda University Hospital for further evaluation.

"Officer Perez and Officer Severin rammed the driver, so that he didn't collide with other motorists," Bernardino said. "They saved lives."

A SIG alert closed the freeway to traffic for about an hour, though CHP investigators remained at the scene until after 4 a.m.

This story will be updated when more informtion is received.