DUI Task Force officer arrests 2 drivers in separate OWI incidents on Friday evening

A Plymouth Police Department officer working the DUI Task Force made two separate OWI arrests within hours of each other on Friday evening, June 26th, both resulting in charges of operating while intoxicated and endangerment.

The first arrest came at approximately 6:00 p.m. when the officer observed a vehicle traveling 70 MPH in a posted 45 MPH construction zone on U.S. 30 near Michigan Street. The officer conducted a traffic stop, pulling the vehicle over on U.S. 30 west of Plymouth Goshen Trail.

The driver was identified as Angel Penaloza, 20, of South Bend. During the stop, the officer detected an odor of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle. Penaloza told the officer he did not have a driver's license and had never been licensed. When asked about drinking, Penaloza acknowledged he had consumed a beer. He was administered a field sobriety test and a portable breath test, registering a .096 BAC. He consented to a certified blood draw.

Penaloza was placed under arrest and booked into the Marshall County Jail on charges of driving while never licensed, Operating While Intoxicated, OWI Endangerment, and Minor Consumption.

Later that same evening, the DUI Task Force officer responded to assist with a traffic stop involving a vehicle that had fled a battery call at 900 West Harrison Street. The caller reported the female driver was highly intoxicated.

A city officer located the vehicle after it disregarded a stop sign at Harrison Street and Oak Drive, ran a red light at Oak Drive and Jefferson Street, traveled east on Jefferson Street, and failed to stop immediately for the officer.

The driver was identified as Karia Carrion Rodriguez, 39, of LaPaz. The officer detected a strong odor of alcohol on her person. Rodriguez initially denied drinking but later admitted to having three drinks. She submitted to a field sobriety test and a portable breath test, blowing a .105. She agreed to a certified blood draw at the hospital, which returned a blood alcohol content of .178 — well above the legal limit.

Rodriguez was booked into the Marshall County Jail on charges of Battery, Operating While Intoxicated, OWI Above .15, and OWI Endangerment. She was assigned a court date and issued a bond.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely 2 an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.