Driver charged with hitting woman, fleeing into ocean
Personal Injury News
Article Date: 7/15/2009 | Resource: MLG
Driver charged with hitting woman, fleeing into ocean
“James Arlen Peterson of Costa Mesa had a prior conviction for driving under the influence, prosecutors say.”
SANTA ANA County prosecutors announced today that a repeat drunken driver has been charged with injuring a woman, then fleeing into the ocean where he had to be rescued.
James Arlen Peterson, 32, Costa Mesa, has been charged with one felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury with a prior, one felony count of hit and run with injury, and a prior conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol in 2003, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Peterson, who is being held on $100,000 bail, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Tuesday, prosecutors said, and will next be in court for a pretrial hearing July 20.
The incident happened around 5 p.m. July 10, authorities said.
Prosecutors say Peterson drove drunk on Balboa Boulevard, and then turned onto 30th Street and hit the 48-year-old victim, who was standing next to her parked car. Witnesses called 911, while Peterson tried to flee by putting his car into reverse into the water. Then, prosecutors say, Peterson got out of his car and ran into the ocean.
A lifeguard had to rescue Peterson and he was then taken into custody by Newport Beach police, prosecutors said.
If Peterson is convicted of all charges, he faces a maximum sentence of three years and eight months in state prison.
For more information regarding this article please contact:
Jeffrey Marquart
(949)589-0150
jmarquart@marquartlawgroup.com