A Los Angeles police officer who allegedly denounced drunk drivers on social media would have been better off following his own advice, as he is now accused of injuring two individuals in a collision… while impaired on Sunday.
“Please call a friend or use a ride-sharing service after drinking,” agent Matthew Ensley allegedly wrote in December 2022 in a post on New York Post Wednesday.
On Sunday evening, around 10:30 p.m., the California Highway Patrol (CHP) was allegedly forced to handcuff an off-duty Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer for causing a violent collision while driving while impaired by alcohol.
The officer had a blood alcohol level of 0.2, which is twice the limit in the state of California, when he allegedly drove straight into the rear of another vehicle on a road to Santa Fe Springs, according to the American media.
The two occupants of the other car suffered injuries, including head pain and a broken arm, CHP Officer Bob Whittenberg reportedly said. Los Angeles Times.
The man, who worked in the LAPD transportation division, had joined the police force in 2004, according to what the Bellflower court heard during his appearance, while his lawyer, Bill Seki, would have insisted that This was a first for his client.
Judge Warren Cato would nevertheless have refused to lower the bail of the accused, set at US$100,000, so as not to “make an exception” despite his status as a “respected member of the community”, noted the NY Post.
It is not clear whether the police officer was suspended pending further legal proceedings, according to the American media.
