The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy allegedly crashed a patrol car while driving under the influence and fled from the scene before the authorities arrived.
50-year-old Carlos Lopez is a sheriff with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Santa Clarita Valley Patrol. He is on the department’s Special Enforcement Bureau.
On the night of August 26, Lopez was driving his patrol car in the unincorporated community of Stevenson Ranch in the Santa Clarita Valley.
It was reported that at approximately 9:30 pm, Lopez was involved in a single-vehicle accident when his car veered off the road and he crashed into a patch of shrubbery.
When the first responders arrived at the spot where the deputy reportedly had the accident, the police found his patrol car, but Lopez was nowhere in sight.
The authorities began to search for Lopez.
Within an hour of the start of their search, it was reported that the police found Lopez at his residence.
The police learned that a third party aided Lopez when his car struck the bushes. It was also reported that the authorities thought Lopez appeared to be intoxicated.
Lopez was taken to Henry Mayo Hospital to ensure that he did not need medical attention because of the accident. It was reported that he was not seriously injured.
Early in the afternoon the following day, Lopez was placed under arrest. He was cited for suspicion of misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol and released from custody.
According to a report released by the sheriff’s department, Lopez was “relieved from duty due to the active investigation.” They declined to comment further on the status of the case.
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.