Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
On Monday evening June 23, a San Bernardino police officer was in the process of making an arrest when he was struck by a vehicle driven by a teen who was believed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to KTLA 5.
According to the news report, the officer’s back was broken when he was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Fifth and Mount Vernon Streets. The officer reportedly had his head inside a vehicle of two people he was attempting to arrest for graffiti. When the teen’s vehicle struck the officer, his head collided with the dashboard.
The teen driver reportedly lost control of his vehicle before striking the police officer. The driver, 18-year-old Steven Portillo, was captured on a convenience store video; the clerk said he appeared to be under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.
Portillo attempted to leave the scene of the accident after slamming into the officer, but was apprehended. He was treated at a local hospital for injuries. The police officer, who is in his 30s and has been with the San Bernardino Police Department for approximately six years, suffered a laceration to the head in addition to a broken back. He is expected to survive.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing, however Portillo was arrested for suspicion of DUI.
In the state of Michigan, any individual younger than age 21 may be charged with an OWI Zero Tolerance offense. Those who are 18 years old are not allowed to operate a vehicle with a BAC of 0.02% or greater (the state’s legal limit is 0.08%) in their system. The penalties for this offense include up to 360 hours of community service, and a fine of $250. However, if the individual is arrested for a drunken driving offense within seven years, he or she will face a second-offense DUI charge rather than a first-offense charge, which will result in harsher punishment.
In addition, individuals who cause an accident or are involved in other circumstances while under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be charged with OUIL causing serious bodily injury when someone else is seriously injured as a result. Under these circumstances, an adult may face criminal penalties if found guilty which include fines of up to $5,000 and prison time of up to five years. The offender’s driver’s license will likely be suspended or revoked as well.
Operating while intoxicated is a very serious charge; when someone is seriously injured as a result, it becomes even more serious. It is vital for anyone charged with a drunken driving offense to consult with a skilled Michigan DUI attorney who can advise you of your legal options and help determine how to proceed for the best possible outcome.