DUI checkpoint yields arrests

PAYSON CANYON, Utah County — The Utah County Sheriff's office conducted a sobriety checkpoint on the Nebo Loop Road near Beer Can Flat, checking more than 1,300 vehicles Sunday.

The checkpoint started at 1 p.m. and lasted to 10:40 p.m., during which deputies asked motorists if they had consumed any substances that might impair their driving. Most drivers were stopped for less than a minute.

During the checkpoint, six people were booked into Utah County Jail for investigation of driving under the influence, including one who had two prior DUI convictions, which made the new arrest a potential third-degree felony DUI. Deputies also made 11 misdemeanor drug arrests, nine alcohol arrests, issue 10 traffic citations, made five warrant arrests and impounded four vehicle impounds during the activity.

Sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon said deputies hadn't conducted a sobriety checkpoint in Payson Canyon for several years and decided to try there because previous checkpoints in American Fork Canyon have not had much success.

"It certainly was productive," Cannon said.

The sheriff's office plans to conduct another checkpoint sometime in August.

— Lana Groves