Coolidge woman arrested for aggravated DUI

Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald

Woman brought her nephews to Safford to play with friends during school closure

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

SAFFORD – A Coolidge woman who brought her nephews to Safford to visit friends since they were out of school due to the coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic was arrested after allegedly driving while intoxicated with them in the car. 

Leslie Castillo was arrested for aggravated DUI after she was pulled over at about 10:49 p.m. on March 23 for speeding. According to a Safford Police report, Castillo was traveling 49 mph in a 35-mph-zone in the 1000 block of U.S. Highway 70. 

When the officer initiated a traffic stop, she noticed Castillo appeared to be impaired, as well as the two other adult passengers. Castillo’s nephews, ages 15 and 8, were also in the vehicle. 

After failing a field sobriety test, Castillo was arrested and taken to the Safford Police Department. Since the other two adults were also intoxicated, a sober driver was called to pick up the car and passengers. 

At the police department, Castillo initially resisted giving a blood sample and cited her religion as a Jehovah’s Witness as why. 

Jehovah’s Witness members do not accept blood transfusions and they avoid taking blood in obedience of God and out of respect for Him as the giver of life.

However, after re-reading the repercussions to her, Castillo agreed to give a blood sample, which was then placed into evidence. 

Castillo was then taken to the Economy Inn where she was staying and released. Possible DUI charges are pending lab test results of her blood sample and review by prosecutors.