Open peppermint schnapps, Fireball, Bud Lights found in East Bay DUI driver’s car: PD
Jan 29, 2026
(KRON) — Multiple open containers of beer and alcohol were found inside a DUI driver's car after a regular-speed chase through Yolo and Solano counties on Jan. 23, police said.
The chase started around at 3:47 p.m., after someone reported a drunk driver swerving into oncoming traffic with their h
and hanging over the steering wheel, the Winters Police Department said.
“Officers located the vehicle in the Dollar General parking lot and attempted to make a traffic stop,” Winters PD said. “The vehicle fled, leading officers in a pursuit onto southbound I-505.”
Open containers of peppermint schnapps and Fireball found inside an alleged DUI driver's car on Jan. 23. (Winters PD)
During the chase, police identified the registered owner of the car as 66-year-old Craig Chaffins — a Brentwood man whose driver’s license was currently suspended for DUI.
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“Speeds never exceeded 60 MPH, but the vehicle drifted into oncoming lanes on several occasions,” Winters PD said.
The driver ultimately stopped in a driveway in the 4000 block of Peaceful Glen Road, where the driver allegedly refused to exit the car. A California Fish and Wildlife warden helped officers wrestle the driver out of the car, who authorities ultimately identified as Chaffins.
“Officers approached the vehicle and, after a brief struggle, extracted the very intoxicated subject from the vehicle,” Winters PD said.
Open containers of Bud Light and peppermint schnapps found inside an alleged DUI driver's car. (Winters PD)
Inside the car police found open containers of peppermint schnapps, Fireball whisky and Bud Light. Chaffins was taken by ambulance to the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Vacaville for pre-existing medical conditions.
“Chaffins was unable to complete a breath test but gave a blood sample,” police said. “Because Chaffins required further medical evaluation and treatment, he was issued a notice to appear [in court].”
Chaffins faces misdemeanor charges of evading, DUI, driving on a suspended license and resisting arrest.
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