Former La Mesa Priest Arrested on Suspicion of DUI Near San Diego State

A San Diego native recently appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of San Francisco was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in his hometown over the weekend, authorities confirmed Monday.

Salvatore Joseph Cordileone, 55, of Oakland was arrested on suspicion of DUI about 12:30 a.m. Saturday at a checkpoint in the 5100 block of College Avenue near the San Diego State University campus, according to San Diego police Officer Mark McCullough.

Cordileone served as associate pastor at in La Mesa in the 1980s.

Cordileone – one of 11 arrested at the checkpoint – failed a field sobriety test, then consented to an optional preliminary alcohol screening device which measured a blood-alcohol level higher than the legal limit of .08 percent, McCullough said.

Cordileone was then placed under arrest and given the option of an official blood or breath test at the checkpoint. He chose a breath test that confirmed a blood-alcohol level higher than the legal limit, McCullough said.

Cordileone's mother, who was a passenger, was allowed to drive the mid-size black car home following her son's arrest after officers made sure she had not been drinking and had a valid license, McCullough said.

Cordileone attended SDSU for a year before transferring to the University of San Diego, where he obtained a philosophy degree in 1978.

Cordileone, who was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego in 2002, chaired the Corporate Board of Catholic Charities and was a member of the University of San Diego Board of Trustees.

He became the Fourth Bishop of Oakland in 2009 and last month was appointed the Metropolitan Archbishop of San Francisco. He is scheduled to be installed in October.

– City News Service