A 38-year-old Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department deputy has been charged with driving under the influence after crashing his motorcycle on the freeway. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the DUI incident occurred on the 405 freeway near Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley. The news report states that the off-duty deputy was riding his motorcycle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 percent – nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent. He suffered hip injuries and his wife was hospitalized with a knee injury, as well as abrasions to her arms and hand. He now faces up to three years in state prison for causing injury while driving under the influence.
California penalties for driving under the influence are increased when the driver causes injury or death. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23153: “It is unlawful for any person, while under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle and concurrently do any act forbidden by law, or neglect any duty imposed by law in driving the vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes bodily injury to any person other than the driver.”
In addition to facing lengthy license suspensions, fines, and possible jail time, individuals charged with driving under the influence also run the risk of losing their job and jeopardizing their career. The skilled Orange County DUI defense attorneys at Sitkoff & Hanrahan help protect the rights of those accused of driving under the influence. If you or a loved one is facing DUI charges in Orange County, please call our offices at (866) 430-8383 to schedule your free consultation.