Gilroy man with 6 DUI convictions had beer in backseat: Sheriff

(KRON) — A Gilroy man who has six DUI convictions on his record was arrested again this week for driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.

Junior Bernardino, 28, of Gilroy, was allegedly drunk and speeding in a white sedan on Center Avenue in San Martin Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said. Bernardino had an open box of Pacifico beer inside his car, as well as a beer cans strewn around the backseat, photos released by SCCSO show.

Bernardino caught the eye of law enforcement when his car almost collided into the back of a sergeant’s patrol car. “Sergeant Carlin was on patrol in San Martin when a white sedan nearly rear-ended his vehicle at high speed. The car swerved dangerously, even driving off-road twice,” SCCSO wrote.

The serial DUI driver fled when the sergeant attempted to pull him over, SCCSO wrote.

He was arrested shortly after near East Middle Avenue by deputies who gave him a breathalyzer test. Bernardino’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.197, more than double the legal limit, the breathalyzer showed.

Bernardino’s car was impounded, and he was booked into jail on DUI charges. His driver’s license had been suspended 13 times, SCCSO wrote. Four of his six DUI convictions were felonies.

“Drunk driving is dangerous and deadly. This reckless behavior puts everyone on the road at risk,” the sheriff’s office wrote.