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Alex Cabrero ReportingDrivers coming down Big Cottonwood Canyon tonight ran into a big surprise. They found a big DUI checkpoint.
Officers and deputies were checking drivers licenses, registrations and plates, but were primarily on the lookout for DUIs. With high school graduations and Memorial Day weekend, this seems like the perfect time to be on the lookout for drunk driving. For one deputy, though, any time is perfect.
Heath Lowry does the same thing every day, but his job as Salt Lake County sheriff's deputy is far from boring. He won't let it get boring, because somewhere there's a drunk driver and a potential tragedy.
Dep. Heath Lowry, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "There are sons and daughters, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents that will never see their family members anymore."
He sees it all the time.
Dep. Lowry: "I see DUIs several times a week."
That's why Lowry wanted to be part of tonight's big DUI crackdown at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Several police agencies stopped cars, making sure drivers were obeying the rules.
Dep. Lowry: "Drunk driving is a tragedy that's simply waiting to happen."
No one knows that more than Norma Tabish.
Norma Tabish, Victim's Mother: "It's forever changed our life."
Her son, J.J., was killed a few years back up this canyon. A DUI caused it.
Norma Tabish: "Every day our family has to get up, not seeing J.J. anymore."
Lowry has seen that happen too many times.
Dep. Lowry: "I have, countless times. And it upsets me because it's preventable."
But some still don't get it. Not drinking and driving is so simple, but DUIs still happen every day.
