An off-duty Orange County police officer who was accused of driving under the influence in May after he was allegedly discovered asleep at the wheel on the freeway attended his arraignment on Monday.
32-year-old Jared Russell Doyle, an officer with the Garden Grove Police Department, was reportedly driving down the 55 Freeway on the morning of May 27 and his vehicle, which failed to remain in one designated lane, stopped in the middle of the road.
Doyle, who was off-duty at the time, had allegedly fallen asleep while driving which is what is suspected as the reason his car stopped short in traffic.
Other commuters on the freeway during the Monday morning 8:00 rush hour called 911 after they said they saw Doyle as his vehicle erratically made its way along the freeway until stopping.
California Highway Patrol officers dispatched to the area reported to emergency assistance by the citizens and found the Doyle, who was not on duty at the time, asleep in the driver’s seat with the vehicle at a standstill.
Officers believed that Doyle, who has been accused of having a blood alcohol content of .16 percent, had been driving drunk and they arrested him on suspicion of DUI.
Doyle attended his arraignment hearing on July 30, and he entered a plea of not guilty to the DUI, and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher charges.
As reported by the Garden Grove Police Department, Doyle is on administrative leave until his legal proceedings regarding the charges have concluded. He is due back in court on September 5 for a pretrial hearing at the Santa Ana Central Justice Center.
If Doyle is convicted of the charges he could face a sentence of up to six months of incarceration in the county jail.
If you or someone you love is suspected of DUI, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.