Traffic Safety Checkpoint Leads To DUI Arrest With Child Passenger

Edmonson Voice Staff
A traffic safety checkpoint led to another DUI Tuesday night around 10pm at Salings Grocery on Wingfield Church Road. Deputies said that Elvis Francisco Miralda Acosta was driving a white Lincoln Navigator when he came through the checkpoint. According to law enforcement, Acosta's eyes were extremely red and the vehicle smelled strongly of alcohol.

Elvis Francisco Miralda Acosta, Wingfield.

The driver was ordered to pull over into a parking lot where field sobriety tests were administered and officials said there were multiple of clues of Acosta being impaired. Deputies said also in the car was a 10 year old child in the front seat as well as an open alcoholic beverage container.

The mother of the child was contacted and she safely took the child home.

Acosta was arrested and charged with Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, Wanton Endangerment 1st (child), and Open Alcohol Container In Vehicle. He was transported to the Hart County Jail.

"We know that some people may feel that traffic safety checkpoints are inconvenient, but this is exactly why we use them," said Sheriff Shane Doyle. "We were able to get an impaired driver off the road and get a child home safely." 

---