(Press Release) On Saturday, April 12, 2014, at approximately 8:34 P.M., a California Highway Patrol (CHP) Bridgeport Area officer was requested to assist a Mono County Sheriff’s Deputy with a traffic stop on US 395, just north of Topaz Lane. The deputy had stopped a Nissan Altima for driving at a speed greater than 80 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. The deputy advised the Altima was honking its horn and flashing its high beam headlamps at a vehicle in front of it before passing the vehicle at a high rate of speed.
The deputy conducted an enforcement stop on the vehicle, contacted the driver and observed signs consistent with alcoholic beverage consumption. The deputy requested a CHP officer respond and conduct a DUI investigation. The CHP officer arrived on scene and contacted the driver, Mr. Konstantin S. Zaigralov, age 30, who was visiting from Russia. The CHP officer also observed signs of alcohol consumption, administered a series of field sobriety tests, which included utilization of the preliminary alcohol screening device which indicated Mr. Zaigralov’s blood alcohol content was approximately .14% to .16%, twice the legal limit of .08%.
Mr. Zaigralov was arrested for driving under the influence, his car was towed, he was issued a notice suspending his driving privilege, the Russian Consulate was notified that a Russian citizen had been arrested and Mr. Zaigralov was booked into the Mono County Jail in Bridgeport. Mr. Zaigralov’s passenger was provided a ride to the Topaz Loge, in Nevada, by the Mono County Sheriff’s deputy that had initially made the traffic enforcement stop.
pull that lights flashing ,horn honking stuff in L.A. or riverside and youll end up with a cap in your arse,its ridiculous to be that rude and impatient in the sierras…chill out
He’s a long way from Mother Russia 🙂
Sugar Magnolia, sometimes they just (ahem) older folks out for a “Sunday drive” to enjoy the beautiful scenery the Eastern Sierra has to offer. If you’re crowding them and their reactions aren’t as swift as yours but still good enough to drive, they may think they can’t pull over. Give… Read more »
Maybe tequila isn’t the same as vodka…
Glad to hear this dude is off the road.
It has nothing to do with the choice of beverage. In Russia money will get you out of almost any trouble with the law as long as the transgression isn’t political. That doesn’t work so well over here.
Poke your head out of the shell once in while Mr. Turtle – it was a stupid joke.
I am glad he’s off the road though.
I hope this guy has to pay DOUBLE the normal bail amount…I don’t think he’ll return to the U.S. to appear on a misdemeanor warrant that gets issued when he doesn’t show for court. In some STATES, if you’re not a resident, you pay the entire fine on the SPOT,… Read more »
Some years back I was popped for speeding by Utah Highway Patrol out in the desert between Kanab and Page, AZ. Right after the cop pulled me over a big green station wagon pulled in behind him. It was hizzoner, the judge, right there on the side of the road… Read more »
It comes down to jurisdiction and department policy… It’s not that deputies can’t do DUI’s it’s that CHP’s are professionals at it. Even where I live… Over 900,000 in population and as a deputy I don’t take DUI arrests…. I do the preliminary investigation and then call CHP if I… Read more »
It does seem odd at the number of press releases for rather standard duty stuff. You don’t hear or see the Mammoth PD, Bishop PD, or Inyo SO issuing these types of press releases day in and day out like the Mono Sheriff. It almost seems like an election year…oh… Read more »
It was a CHP press release.
BK
they pace the car…
Johnny….I rather like the idea of these recent press releases on the DUI drivers being caught and arrested here….sending a message not to be coming up here to Inyo and Mono and thinking its O.K. to drink and drive and do as you please when you visit or pass through… Read more »
I sometimes flash my lights at people, and on rare occasion will honk my horn too. Most often its on small two lane roads where the people are driving very slowly, enjoying the scenery. I have no problem with that at all, but I am trying to get somewhere. The… Read more »
Fine.
But you do all of that while “driving at a speed greater than 80 MPH in a 55 MPH zone” and you most certainly deserve to get pulled over.
Perhaps your impatience would be better suited to LA or SF.
I have no problem with someone being pulled over for driving 80 in a 55….just don’t say that honking a horn and flashing one’s lights are signs of impaired driving! And sorry, just cause I live here doesn’t mean I have to patiently drive behind someone going 35 in a… Read more »
You know S-M, if I’m driving alone in my car on a curvy mountain road it is highly unlikely you will ever pass me. I like to push cars a little on roads like that as long as there is no traffic around, and no chippies to give me a… Read more »
sugar magnolia…..If you were to do that if you were driving behind me,flashing lights,honking the horn,etc.,I’d think there was some kinda nut behind me,thinking maybe you wanted me to pull over and do something crazy as you passed by…and maybe thinking I wouldn’t want you driving ahead of me…either I’d… Read more »
I’m sure I am sometimes (often?) a nut! Basically, it’s just common courtesy to use pull outs for traffic what wishes to travel faster than you, no matter what speed you are driving. We can all co-exist on the roads…we just have to be cognizant of others and that we… Read more »
sugar magnolia….I agree with you about the courtesy thing…and when I’m driving and there are turn-outs on the road and if I see someone in a big hurry coming up fast,when it’s safe I usually do use a turn-out and let them pass….it doesn’t happen often,cause there aren’t that many… Read more »
One day, you’ll flash your lights and honk your horn at the wrong person. I’m sure all that posturing only gains you a few minutes when you do finally pass. Why can’t you wait a few minutes and pass them in a legal passing zone? One day your actions may… Read more »
I’ll disagree with you on that one Linda. On long mountain highways where passing opportunities are lacking (not talking about 395 for the most part), going 30-35 or going 45-50 makes over 60 miles or more makes a big difference. Not to mention the frustration level. In addition, the safest… Read more »
If they had been doing the right things on their previous stops would this really be news? Just saying…
Wow, is mono county sheriffs department on a PR saturation now! Let’s put out as many traffic stops as we can! Funny, they dont for the ones that are at best questionable! For example, violation of search and seizure! I have yet to see one involving any within the community… Read more »
Can someone explain to me why a Mono Deputy can’t make a DUI arrest by themselves without having to call a CHP to come and make the arrest… I have stopped and arrested hundreds of drunk drivers in CHP policed areas and never once called a CHP to come assist,… Read more »
Roy, MCSD has an MOU with the CHP where the CHP will take DUI’s of their hands so the Deputy can stay on patrol. There are times when there is only one deputy on for close to 100 miles.
You know Roy I thought the very same thing! Excellent question. It isn’t like they are so overwhelmed with work and they need to get another call. They stay there with the CHP through the entire stop. Seems to me like a perfect waste of taxpayers dollars to me!