San Francisco, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that her office secured a conviction of Ernesto Fuentes-Rodriguez (40), of Oakland, after a trial by jury for driving under the influence. Mr. Fuentes-Rodriguez was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (VC 23152(a)) and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater (VC 23152(b)).

“Driving under the influence is dangerous and places countless lives at risk,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “This behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Everyone on our roads should be able to get where they are going safely. If you choose to drink, do not get behind the wheel and drive.”

According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, Mr. Fuentes-Rodriguez, was drinking beers at a restaurant in San Francisco. On his way home to Oakland, he crossed over double-yellow lines in order to overtake a slower moving vehicle in front of him —a violation of Vehicle Code section 21460. A California Highway Patrol officer observed this, pulled him over, and their observations triggered a DUI investigation. Mr. Fuentes-Rodriguez failed the Field Sobriety Tests. Breath alcohol measuring devices revealed he had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit of 0.08%.

The case against Mr. Fuentes-Rodriguez was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ahmanda Lee, with assistance from paralegals Joshua Nickchen and Andres Hernandez-Ruano, and IT support from Ada Yu and Noaeh Pinaire.

“I would like to thank the jury for their thoughtful attention and consideration of the law,” said Assistant District Attorney Ahmanda Lee. “Drunk driving is a serious public safety issue, and this decision reflects that the citizens of San Francisco will not tolerate such crimes.”

Mr. Fuentes-Rodriguez is currently out of custody. He faces up to six months in county jail for his crimes. Sentencing is scheduled for March 22, 2024.

Court Number: 23011013

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