Deputy In Critical Condition After Being Struck By Alleged Drunk Driver

Whether a DUI in California is considered a misdemeanor or a felony depends upon a few factors. One of the first factors is how many previous DUIs a person has. Another factor is whether or not the DUI involved an accident with injuries or a fatality. Other factors may boost a DUI up to a felony; factors such as speeding, reckless driving, evading police, and having a minor in the vehicle. Misdemeanor DUIs generally mean time spent in county jail. Felony DUIs, however, usually mean time spent in state prison. All DUI charges, whether a felony or a misdemeanor, have a minimum and a maximum allowable sentence. 

ABC 7 reports that a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy was hit by a suspected DUI driver and is in critical condition. The incident occurred on Monday evening when 25-year-old Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy Dakota Palanca responded to a suspicious person in the 8500 block of Alondra Boulevard. 

Before she exited the vehicle, the suspect began punching her through the window. She was finally able to exit the vehicle and gave chase through the parking lot. The suspect crossed Alondra and Downey Avenue, with deputy Palanca pursuing him. As Palanca crossed the street, she was struck by a Chevrolet Suburban driving east. 

Palanca was seriously injured and rushed to St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood. She is still in critical condition. The original suspect was taken into custody by other deputies and is facing a charge of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer. The driver of the Suburban was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI.

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