California Highway Patrol

On February 4, 2010 at 8:27 am, CHP officers arrested Kathryn Relis, age 59 of Santa Barbara, for driving under the influence of drugs after receiving a 911 call from her daughter.

At 7:54 am, the Ventura Area CHP dispatch center received a 911 call from Sarita Relis, age 31 from the Los Angeles area, who stated her mother, Kathryn Relis, was driving southbound on US-101 in the Santa Barbara area. Relis told a CHP dispatcher that her mother was driving recklessly and was under the influence of medication she was taking for migraines. She also said her eleven year old sister, was a passenger in the vehicle (a red Kia minivan) and that she was currently in contact with her by cellular phone.

While talking with Sarita Relis, a CHP dispatcher was able to determine the location of the vehicle as it travelled south on US-101 based on the information relayed from teh 11 year old. She stated her mother was weaving all over road and was traveling at speed ranging from 70 to 90 mph. Another witness also called 911 and reported the vehicle being driven recklessly as it traveled south on US-101.

CHP officers made traffic stop on the vehicle southbound US-101 near west Main St. CHP officers contacted the driver, Kathryn Relis, and determined she was under the influence of drugs. Relis was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs.

Relis and her daughter were going from the Santa Barbara area to Los Angeles for a school field trip. After Relis was arrested, a CHP officer drove the back to the Santa Barbara area where reunited with her father. There were no injuries from this incident and the girl was the only passenger in the vehicle. The incident is still under investigation. Relis was booked into the Ventura County Jail for driving under the influence of drugs and child endangerment.