A Southern California man was arrested after he was accused of driving under the influence after allegedly causing a crash involving multiple vehicles and reportedly trying to bite responding officers.
Late in the afternoon on March 1, a 49-year-old man was driving a blue Prius in Los Angeles when he allegedly ran a red light and caused an accident involving three vehicles. Someone who saw the crash notified the authorities, and officers from the Los Angeles Police Department went to the location. When they arrived, the driver of the Prius was standing on the sidewalk with blood coming from his head and dripping down his face.
The man was informed that the police believed he had been driving under the influence, and they decided to double handcuff him after verbally noting that he was large. When they tried to put him in the police car, he reportedly fell on the ground and told the officers he was in pain. They continued trying to get him into the vehicle, but he allegedly tried to fight them off. Shortly after, a Los Angeles Fire Department Rescue Ambulance brought him to the hospital.
When they reached the hospital, the man was being wheeled down the hallway on a gurney when he reportedly began trying to bite the officers. He expressed fear and said he thought he was dying, and the officers put a towel over his head and mouth until he agreed to do whatever they asked.
He was initially arrested on suspicion of one count of felony DUI of drugs with traffic collision, and the prosecutors have now filed official charges of two counts of reckless driving causing great bodily injury with a prior conviction, and two counts of resisting a police officer. According to a critical incident community briefing given by a captain with the Los Angeles Police Department, there is an ongoing investigation to determine whether the officers were justified in using force during the arrest.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a DUI offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.