Banning, Beaumont Police Target DUI Drivers Overnight

Banning police Thursday night coordinated with Beaumont police, Cabazon Station deputies and the California Highway Patrol in an effort to crack down on St. Patrick's Day revelers who tried to drive under the influence of alcohol.

"We're working the 'Avoid the 30' campaign, with 30 law enforcement agencies in Riverside County," said Banning police Officer Everett Babcock. "We expect a busy night."

St. Patrick's Day, an Irish-American tradition for more than two centuries, is celebrated in pubs and bars throughout the San Gorgonio Pass, where inevitably some drinkers end up behind the wheel.

"Banning P.D. has two cars with Avoid the 30 tonight," Babcock said. "We're coordinating with Beaumont P.D., Cabazon and CHP."

Babcock, a traffic enforcement and collision investigator, arrested a man on his fifth DUI offense on Sunday.

A traffic collision was reported shortly after 2 p.m. at 22nd and Ramsey streets in Banning, Babcock said.

The driver of a silver Dodge pickup backed into another vehicle, got out and then fled when the other driver said he was going to contact police, Babcock said.

Another motorist followed the Dodge pickup to Ruby's Diner near Morongo Casino in Cabazon, Babcock said.

Police found a loaded .44-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver in the pickup and a box of ammunition, Babcock said.

Lee Everett Edwards, 41, was taken into custody and on suspicion of DUI, hit-and-run, driving with a suspended license for DUI, multiple DUI warrants, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of live ammunition, Babcock said.

Edwards' fourth DUI offense was a felony and he'd spent 16 months in state prison for that offense, Babcock said.

Edwards remained locked up Thursday night at Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning. His bail was $10,000, according to inmate records.