Police Blotter: Drunk Driver Hits Houses

East Lake Drive residents had a rude awakening early Friday when a drunk driver crashed into two houses and flipped his 1994 Jeep Cherokee, Watsonville police reported.

Santos Carranco, 24, apparently had been drinking at a local bar before he got behind the wheel of the Jeep. He lost control of the vehicle and careened off the road on the 500 block of East Lake around 1:49 a.m. He crashed into the house at 510 E. Lake and a neighbor, according to Watsonville Police Sgt. Saul Gonzalez.

The Jeep bounced off both houses and rolled over. Officers found it upside down and Carranco unconscious, according to the police.

People were home at the time, but no one inside the homes was hurt.

Carranco was taken to Watsonville Community Hospital for non life-threatening injuries. Later, he'll be jailed for DUI, police said.

Deputy Police Chief Rudy Escalante said Carranco was leaving a bar a half-mile up the street, when he wrecked. The bar's hours may be curtailed because of problems, like the DUI crash.

Watsonville Police Log, Thursday, Dec. 8

2:26 p.m.—A 16-year-old Watsonville Community School student had a knife on campus. He got a ticket and went home with his dad.

4:53 p.m.—Jesse Manuel Ramirez, 38, was arrested for a felony warrant on Main Street and Riverside Drive.

7:16 p.m.—Eric Pray, who is on probation, reportedly had a screwdriver hidden in the sleeve of his jacket. Police arrested the 29-year-old on the 200 block of Rodriguez Street.