San Francisco, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that her office secured a conviction of Samuel Joe Candelaria (49), after a trial by jury for driving under the influence on the Bay Bridge. Mr. Candelaria was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (VC 23152(a)), driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or greater (VC 23152(b)), and evading officers (VC 2800.1(a)).

“I would like to thank the jury for their service in this trial,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “Driving under the influence is unlawful and extremely dangerous. I am grateful that this incident on Christmas Day last year did not result in serious injury or tragedy. My office takes these cases seriously and will continue doing our part to hold offenders accountable and keep the public safe.”

According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, on December 25, 2024, at approximately 10:35 pm, CHP officers driving a fully marked, black and white CHP patrol vehicle on I-80 on the Bay Bridge observed a gray Chevrolet Tahoe that passed them at a high rate of speed. As the officers sped up to catch up with the vehicle, the vehicle continued swerving around other vehicles, driving at a speed of 85 miles per hour in a 50 mile per hour zone. The officers used the public address system to instruct the driver to exit the freeway, but the driver did not comply. Following the failure to yield or pull over, the officers pursued the driver down the U.S.-101 South Bound for approximately twenty miles. During this pursuit, the vehicle weaved outside of its lane, almost collided with another vehicle, and drove recklessly. The vehicle then finally came to a stop after turning right on Brittan Avenue in San Carlos after the front left tire blew out. The driver, later identified as Mr. Candelaria, was placed under arrest.

CHP Officers then spoke to Mr. Candelaria and noticed the strong smell of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath and person. Likewise, officers observed that Mr. Candelaria had slurred speech and watery eyes. Mr. Cadelaria took a breath test, and the results yielded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.13 percent.

The case against Mr. Candelaria was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Blake Catherine with assistance from paralegals Josh Nickchen and Raquel Paz Aleman and IT support from Ada Yu and Noaeh Pinaire. Prosecutors were able to develop a strong case against Mr. Candelaria based on the California Highway Patrol’s thorough investigation and assistance.

“I want to thank the jury for their careful deliberations and rendering a just verdict,” said Assistant District Attorney Blake Catherine. “Driving under the influence endangers countless lives in our community and cannot be tolerated. More importantly, attempting to evade officers while taking part in this dangerous conduct adds an extreme level of recklessness.”

Court Number: 24023970

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