San Francisco, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that her office secured a conviction of Kavafondatu Mataele (31), after a trial by jury, for driving under the influence on Howard Street near Second Street. Mr. Mataele was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (VC 23152(a)) and driving with an open container of alcohol (VC 23222). The jury also found true the allegation that Mr. Mataele had previously been convicted of driving under the influence to be true.
“I would like to thank the jury for their service in this trial,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “I would also like to thank the San Francisco Police Department for taking immediate action and getting Mr. Mataele off the road who was in no condition to drive keeping us all safe. Driving under the influence is dangerous and reckless. My office is committed to keeping our roadways safe and will do everything we can to hold offenders accountable.”
According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, on April 26, 2026, at approximately 5:18 p.m., on Howard Street, approaching the 2nd Street intersection, Mr. Mataele left a bar and pulled out of the parking lot heading the wrong way on a one-way street. He was immediately spotted by San Francisco Police who initiated a stop. Officers initiated a DUI investigation when they smelled alcohol. A chemical breath test approximately 90 minutes later showed a .20% blood alcohol concentration. Officers found an empty Modelo beer and an open liquor bottle in a bag in the vehicle.
The case against Mr. Mataele was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James Robbins with assistance from District Attorney Investigator Perla Ortiz, paralegals Raquel Paz, Nohemi Torres, and Adrianna Loomis, and IT support from Leland Chan. Prosecutors were able to develop a strong case against Mr. Mataele based on the San Francisco Police Department’s thorough investigation and assistance.
“I’m grateful to the jury for their careful attention throughout this trial and their service to the people of San Francisco,” said Assistant District Attorney James Robbins. “This verdict holds Mr. Mataele accountable for his dangerous conduct and reflects that San Franciscans understand that impaired driving puts the people of our community at risk.”
The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office takes all driving under the influence cases seriously and seeks to hold offenders accountable in all cases. For the most serious DUI felony cases, the office established a Felony DUI Vertical Prosecution Unit with a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Court Number: 26009437
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