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December 9, 2010 at 2:29 PM

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UPDATE: 'No, Diego, No': Driver cited for using HOV lane with doll

Posted by John de Leon

STATE PATROL PHOTO

At least Diego was wearing his seat belt, according to the State Patrol.

A driver was recently cited by the State Patrol after he was caught using an HOV lane with a doll as his only passenger.

On Nov. 29, troopers were stationed along the northbound state Highway 167 ramp to northbound Interstate 405, pulling over HOV violators. As cars drove past, a trooper couldn't help but notice a "passenger" in one car had huge, unblinking eyes, according to a State Patrol news release.

The trooper stopped the car and found the driver had placed a stuffed Diego doll from the Nickelodeon children's show "Go, Diego, Go!" in the front passenger seat. The driver said he was late for work so he placed his daughter's doll in the front passenger seat so he could use the HOV lane.

Bad idea.

The driver was cited for the HOV lane violation. But, the news release, notes, "Diego was practicing good safety habits and was buckled up."

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