Eighteen people arrested for DUI at five different San Diego County checkpoints

Overnight checkpoints in Pacific Beach, National City and three North County cities said 18 people stand accused of drunken driving and other crimes as the Memorial Day weekend got underway.

Eight of the suspected drunken driving arrests occurred between 10:55 p.m. Friday and 3 a.m. at or near a checkpoint in the 2400 block of Garnet Avenue, near Soledad Mountain Road at the east end of Pacific beach, according to San Diego police. California Highway Patrol officers assisted with the operation.

At a checkpoint in the 100 block of West Mission Road near Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos, deputies arrested five suspected drunken drivers, as well as three people suspected of other crimes, according to sheriff's officials. Deputies also issued 18 citations for various violations including driving with a suspended license, possession of marijuana and possessing an open alcohol container in a vehicle, authorities said.

Law enforcement officers arrested one suspected drunken driver in the 1800 block of Olivehain Road near Los Pinos Circle in Encinitas, sheriff's officials said. The checkpoint was operational between 8 p.m. Friday and 1:30 a.m. and was staffed by sheriff's deputies and police officers from several other agencies.

Another drunken driver was arrested at a checkpoint on College Avenue at Adams Street in Oceanside that ran from 9:45 p.m. Friday to 2:30 p.m., according to police. Officers also issued 23 citations for various violations.

A checkpoint in the 2600 block of Highland Avenue in National City netted no drunken driving arrests between 6 p.m. Friday and 1 a.m., but officers issued 29 citations for license violations, police said.