A man in Chico, California, is facing multiple charges after allegedly crashing his van while driving under the influence. Shockingly, this was his second DUI arrest of the day, with 21 hours separating both incidents.
According to a press release issued by the Chico Police Department, both incidents occurred on Sunday, May 24. At around 1:30 a.m., CPD officers carried out a traffic stop on a vehicle near W. 4th Street and Main Street, Action News Now reported.
Police met 33-year-old Ryan Dale. He was allegedly driving under the influence and was immediately arrested without incident.
However, at around 10:45 p.m., just over 21 hours later, CPD officers were alerted to a single-vehicle crash near Broadway and W. 1st Street. Upon arrival, as per the police, they found Dale once again.
Two DUI Arrests in a Day
Upon arrival, responding officers found a crashed “delivery-style” van in the median strip. As per the release, it had crashed into some trees and even struck a utility box.
The van had suffered significant front-end damage. Officers also observed what appeared to be hazardous material placards. These were later identified as cedar oil.
A photo of the crashed van was shared by the CPD. Its front was battered, and one of its front wheels was seen detached.
Man Arrested and Charged
Officers then made contact with Dale again. Allegedly, they found an open bottle of vodka inside the van.
Furthermore, Dale tested a blood alcohol content of .35. That is four times the legal limit in California.
As a result of both incidents, Dale was charged with driving under the influence with prior convictions and driving under the influence over .08. If convicted, he could face years in prison depending on how many DUIs Dale has on his record.
CPD ‘Cooks’ Suspect, Internet Joins
The Chico Police Department, given the nature of Dale’s arrests, decided to take things with a sense of humor, especially since no one was harmed. Its press release was filled with quips and jokes, such as the inclusion of a clown emoji or calling the crashed van a “failed parking job.”
“Respectfully, go back to Maryland. We don’t want this here,” the CPD told Dale.
Chico residents and other internet users joined in on the bashing, finding the press release “refreshingly hilarious.” Some called it the “best public relations campaign” the CPD has ever done, while others succumbed to wordplay. One reader wrote, “That’s a flat learning curve.” Others, meanwhile, wondered how Dale was released so fast following his first arrest.
No mugshot was released by the Chico Police Department as of the time of this article’s writing.