Property damage leads to four DUI arrests

Costa Mesa Police arrested several drivers suspected of DUI’s this weekend, all of which resulted in significant property damage, police said.

The most recent arrest happened just before 5 a.m. Sunday when a driver launched his car through a small tree and into the back of a pickup truck, police said.

Sampson Fuga, 18, of Huntington Beach, was heading west on Adams Avenue when he swerved after seeing some type of animal run in front of his car, Sgt. Matt Grimmond said.

He became drowsy and thought a cat ran out in front of him, Grimmond said.

“He then hits one parked vehicle, pushes that one into another, hits a rock, which put him airborne, Dukes-of-Hazard-style,” through the foliage of a tree, Grimmond said.

Fuga’s 1999 White Chevy Lumina then hit yet another vehicle and came to rest on top of a pickup truck parked in an apartment complex, Grimmond said. The Lumina was totaled.

Police arrested Fuga on suspicion of DUI, and a warrant from earlier this year for a minor in possession of alcohol. He was treated for minor scratches at the scene, refusing any further medical attention, Grimmond said. His bail has been set at $2,500, police said.

Just before midnight police arrested Shanetra Young, 21, of Tustin, after she crashed through a fence leaving the Shark Club Saturday, Grimmond said. No one was injured in the crash that occurred in the 2900 block of Century Place, police said.

Young was arrested on suspicion of DUI, booked at the Orange County Jail and released with a written promise to appear, Grimmond said.

Just two hours before that, on the other side of town, a Costa Mesa resident plowed into eight cars and a tree along both James Street and Pomona Avenue, police said.

Jose Lionel Avalos-Alvarez, 24, bumped his 2002 red Ford F-150 off a number of cars heading east along James Street before turning north onto Pomona and hitting several more, Grimmond said.

Avalos-Alvarez was arrested on suspicion of DUI, suspicion of hit-and-run, suspicion of driving on a suspended license, and a 2002 domestic violence warrant, Grimmond said. He was taken to Costa Mesa City Jail and booked on a $15,000 bail, police said.

Finally, the evening began with a minor accident at 7:19 p.m. Saturday along 19th Street near Anaheim Avenue, police said.

Police arrested Jesyca Marshall, 23, of San Juan Capistrano, after she rear-ended one car, pushing it into another vehicle, with her black Jeep Grand Cherokee, Grimmond said.

Marshall was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving on a suspended license. She was taken to O.C. Jail and released on a written promise to appear in court, Grimmond said.