The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy has been accused of driving under the influence after he allegedly caused a DUI-related accident. 38-year-old Richard J. Patterson of West Covina was off duty when he is accused of having crashed the motorcycle that he and his wife were on into another vehicle on the 405 freeway. Patterson was taken to the local hospital for a hip injury while his wife was hospitalized with a knee injury and abrasions to the arms and hands.
After investigation, it was determined that Patterson’s blood alcohol level was at 0.15 percent, two hours after the accident occurred. Patterson’s arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday where he faces charges of driving under the influence causing injury and driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more causing injury. If convicted, Patterson could be facing probation or up to several years in state prison.