| For Immediate Release Case # 11WF2493
January 12, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICER CONVICTED OF CRASHING MOTORCYCLE AND INJURING WIFE ON FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
WESTMINSTER – An off-duty deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was convicted and sentenced today for crashing his motorcycle on the freeway and injuring his wife while driving under the influence of alcohol. Richard J. Patterson, 38, West Covina, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of driving with a blood alcohol .08 percent or more causing injury. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, three years of informal probation, nine months of a first offender alcohol program, and completion of a Mother’s Against Drunk Driving Victim’s Impact Panel.
At approximately 6:25 p.m. on July 5, 2011, Patterson was driving a motorcycle while intoxicated northbound on the Interstate 405 near Brookhurst Street. His wife was riding on the back of the motorcycle. The defendant crashed his motorcycle into the back of a moving vehicle.
Patterson and his wife were both transported to Western Medical Center. The defendant was treated for injuries to his hip and his wife suffered a knee injury and abrasions to her arms and hand. The occupants of the other vehicle were not injured.
Two hours after the crash, Patterson had blood alcohol level of .15 percent, almost twice the legal limit.
The California Highway Patrol investigated this case.
Deputy District Attorney Clarissa Stone prosecuted this case.
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