| For Immediate Release Case # TBA June 13, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
|
DRUNKEN-DRIVER MARINE CHARGED WITH KILLING THREE FELLOW MARINES BY CRASHING INTO TREE
SANTA ANA – A Marine has been charged with killing three friends and fellow Marines by crashing into a tree while driving under the influence of alcohol. Jared Ray Hale, 25, is charged with three felony counts of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated without gross negligence with sentencing enhancements and allegations for driving with a blood alcohol level over.15 percent and causing great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison. The People will be requesting $100,000 bail for Hale, who is currently in a medical rehabilitation facility. His arraignment date is to be determined.
At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 13, 2012, Hale is accused of arriving at Hennessey’s Tavern in Dana Point with three friends. The defendant and his friends were all Marines stationed at Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton. The friends included Christopher Arzola, 21, of Massachusetts, Jeremiah Callahan, 23, of Nebraska, and Jason Chleborad, 22, of South Dakota.
At approximately 1:50 a.m. on Feb. 14, 2012, the defendant is accused of driving away from the bar in his Dodge sedan with his three friends as passengers.
At approximately 2:00 a.m. Hale is accused of driving northbound on Golden Lantern in Dana Point. As he approached a curve in the road at the intersection at Terra Vista, the defendant is accused of losing control of his vehicle, running over the landscaped center median, and crashing into a tree on the passenger’s side of the car. The car spun around the tree and came to rest against the tree on the median.
Victims Callahan and Arzola were pronounced dead at the scene due multiple blunt force injuries. Victim Chleborad was transported to Mission Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:03 a.m. due to multiple blunt force injuries.
Hale was knocked unconscious in the crash and was transported to Mission Hospital, where he was treated for brain trauma and a fractured arm. Approximately an hour and a half after the crash, the defendant is accused of having a blood alcohol level of .16 percent.
Deputy District Attorney Nancy Hayashida of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
###