Ryan ChartrandA 20-year-old San Luis Obispo man was arrested late Monday after allegedly surfing on top of his vehicle.
Police responded to the accident after the 1999 Toyota Solara apparently struck a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 truck parked at 555 Ramona St. in San Luis Obispo.
Police said Cuesta College student Nathan Andrews drove his Solara on Ramona Street when he climbed out of the driver’s seat and onto the top of his vehicle while the car was still in motion. He then allegedly proceeded to perform a stunt known as “ghost riding” or “car surfing,” which involves standing or dancing atop a moving motor vehicle.
The vehicle then crashed into the parked truck because Andrews was unable to control his car, police said. The accident occurred near the Valencia Apartments, which is primarily a student-housing complex and home to approximately 500 college-aged residents. Police also said the area is typically crowded with pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Investigators determined Andrews was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident and was additionally driving his vehicle with a suspended license, the result of a previous DUI.
He was arrested for driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level exceeding .08 percent, driving with a suspended license and violating a prior court order. His car was towed and will be impounded for 30 days, police said.
Bail was set at $15,000 and Andrews was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail.
“DUIs have always been a problem in this area, but there haven’t been anymore incidents this year than in years past,” said Lt. Steve Tolley of the San Luis Obispo Police Department.