California has taken a pretty strong stance on people who drive under the influence. Before someone is even convicted of the charge, their license can be suspended. Once arrested for DUI, the police will confiscate the person’s license and the suspension will go into effect within thirty days. In addition to the license suspension, if convicted, a first time DUI carries the following penalties: fines and court assessments, jail time, DUI school, installation of an ignition interlock device, and higher insurance costs. These are the basic penalties. If injuries or a fatality occurred, these penalties can be much more severe.
The LA Times reports that a CHP officer was injured in a DUI crash. An unidentified driver was taken into custody and charged with DUI on June 27th following a crash that injured a California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer.
A CHP cruiser along with the motorcycle officer stopped to help a motorist whose car had broken down. They were near the center divider on the westbound side of Interstate 8. The accident occurred just east of West Main Street in El Cajon at about 9:30 p.m. The motorcycle officer was attempting to reenter traffic when a white Chevrolet Camaro sideswiped the officer. The Camaro and its unidentified driver were traveling at a high rate of speed.
The officer sustained moderate to major injuries to his lower body. None of the injuries were thought to be life-threatening. The driver of the Camaro was taken into custody and charged with DUI.
