Case # 16CF3123
Date: August 29, 2017
DRUNKEN DRIVER CONVICTED OF CRASHING INTO ORANGE POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS STANDING BEHIND PATROL VEHICLE
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A drunken driver was convicted today of crashing into an Orange Police Department officer who was standing behind his patrol vehicle on a residential street.
|
Defendant |
Charges |
Maximum Sentence |
Court Date |
|
Ashley Victoria Bertolino, 27, Tustin |
Pleaded guilty today to the following felony counts:
Sentencing Enhancements
|
Three years in state prison |
Sentencing Oct. 24, 2017, 9:00 a.m. Department C-49, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana |
Circumstances of the Case
- At approximately 3:00 a.m. on Dec. 10, 2016, three officers from the Orange Police Department (OPD) responded to a call for service on a residential street.
- While at the scene, Officer Doe stood near the back of his patrol vehicle, which was parked alongside the curb, to gather paperwork.
- Bertolino had a blood alcohol level of .13 percent and was under the influence of drugs while driving 40 mph in a 25 mph zone.
- The defendant drifted towards the curb and crashed into Officer Doe and the back of his patrol vehicle.
- The other officers at the scene ran to assist Officer Doe, who was pinned underneath Bertolino’s vehicle, and the defendant exited her vehicle.
- Bertolino was detained by OPD officers until officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), who investigated this case, arrived on scene.
- Officer Doe was transported to a local hospital and was hospitalized with major injuries.
- Bertolino was evaluated at a local hospital and arrested the following morning by CHP.
Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Jess Rodriguez, Special Prosecutions Unit