An arrest warrant has been issued for a woman who drove her Mercedes into the path of oncoming traffic, injuring herself and her child.
After nearly four months, officials released toxicology screen results and the identity of the driver.
According to Officer Jason Browning of the Folsom Police Department, Susan Moskalets had a blood alcohol level of .07, under the legal limit for the state of .08.
She also tested positive for the strong pain killer morphine and Naproxen, an anti-inflammatory drug often used for pain.
Browning said the case was forwarded to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office to determine whether charges would be filed against Moskalets.
“An active warrant has been issued for her arrest,” said Officer Shelly Orio, spokeswoman for the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office Thursday. “The warrant (charges) DUI of alcohol and/or drugs with injury and endangering the health or life of a child.”
The charges are felonies.
On Jan. 27, officers responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of East Bidwell Street and Bluestone Circle.
A 1983 Mercedes station wagon, with Moskalets behind the wheel and three of her children ages 6 to 8 in the vehicle, reportedly crossed into the path of an oncoming Dodge Durango. The sole occupant of the Durango was an unidentified female driver.
Witnesses stated the Mercedes had been southbound on East Bidwell, moving with no headlights, when it entered a left turn lane. The driver went into the intersection, reportedly disregarding the red light and heading into oncoming traffic.
Having the green light, the Durango was northbound when it entered the intersection, hitting the Mercedes broadside.
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Sunday, August 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sacramento prosecutor pleads no contest to DUI
A Sacramento prosecutor pleaded no contest Tuesday to drunken driving charges that stemmed from his arrest last year in midtown Sacramento.
Huggins booking photo.jpgDetails were still being worked out today on the sentence for Ross Robert Huggins (photo left), 44, and whether he will be placed in the sheriff's work project or an alternative sentencing program to serve the remaining day on his 48-hour term.
Visiting Judge John Morrison from Humboldt County gave Huggins credit for one day time served at the prosecutor's appearance in Sacramento Superior Court.
Huggins was arrested Nov. 21 at 19th and J Streets, Sacramento police said. His attorney, Linda Parisi, said that Huggins' blood-alcohol level at the time of his arrest was .10. A person is considered legally intoxicated in California at a .08 percent blood-alcohol level.
Parisi said "a lapse in judgment during a personally stressful time in his life" led to Huggins' arrest. Parisi did not elaborate. She said Huggins "takes full responsibility" for the incident.
Huggins could not be reached today for comment. District attorney's spokeswoman Shelly Orio also could be immediately reached.
Huggins is a member of the DA's "STOP" unit, an acronym for its state-targeted offenses program that focuses on prison crimes, car theft, welfare fraud, child abductions and mental health litigation.
Besides the 48-hour term, Parisi said Huggins also was ordered to pay approximately $2,200 in fines and fees. She said his driver's license will be suspended for 30 days, after which he will be placed into a first-offender's program.
Source
Huggins booking photo.jpgDetails were still being worked out today on the sentence for Ross Robert Huggins (photo left), 44, and whether he will be placed in the sheriff's work project or an alternative sentencing program to serve the remaining day on his 48-hour term.
Visiting Judge John Morrison from Humboldt County gave Huggins credit for one day time served at the prosecutor's appearance in Sacramento Superior Court.
Huggins was arrested Nov. 21 at 19th and J Streets, Sacramento police said. His attorney, Linda Parisi, said that Huggins' blood-alcohol level at the time of his arrest was .10. A person is considered legally intoxicated in California at a .08 percent blood-alcohol level.
Parisi said "a lapse in judgment during a personally stressful time in his life" led to Huggins' arrest. Parisi did not elaborate. She said Huggins "takes full responsibility" for the incident.
Huggins could not be reached today for comment. District attorney's spokeswoman Shelly Orio also could be immediately reached.
Huggins is a member of the DA's "STOP" unit, an acronym for its state-targeted offenses program that focuses on prison crimes, car theft, welfare fraud, child abductions and mental health litigation.
Besides the 48-hour term, Parisi said Huggins also was ordered to pay approximately $2,200 in fines and fees. She said his driver's license will be suspended for 30 days, after which he will be placed into a first-offender's program.
Source
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Sacramento deputy DA pleads no contest in DUI case
A Sacramento deputy district attorney has pleaded no contest to drunken driving charges that stemmed from his arrest last year in midtown Sacramento.
In a sentencing agreement finalized Wednesday, the prosecutor, Ross Robert Huggins, 44, was placed in the county's alternative sentencing program to complete the final day of the 48-hour term handed down to him by visiting Superior Court Judge John R. Morrison.
Huggins, who entered his plea Tuesday in Sacramento Superior Court, received credit for one day already served. He will perform 60 hours of community service in the alternative program instead of having to report to the sheriff's work project.
Huggins was arrested Nov. 19 at 19th and J streets, Sacramento police said. His attorney, Linda Parisi, said that Huggins' blood-alcohol level at the time of his arrest was 0.10. A person is considered legally intoxicated in California at a 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level.
Parisi said "a lapse in judgment during a personally stressful time in his life" led to Huggins' arrest. Parisi did not elaborate. She said Huggins "takes full responsibility" for the incident.
Huggins did not return phone calls Wednesday.
Huggins is a member of the district attorney's STOP unit, an acronym for its state-targeted offenses program that focuses on prison crimes, car theft, welfare fraud, child abductions and mental health litigation.
Besides the 48-hour term, Parisi said Huggins was ordered to pay approximately $2,200 in fines and fees. She said his driver's license will be suspended for 30 days, after which he will be placed into a first-offender's program. His driving privileges will then be restricted for another 90 days to driving to and from work and the program.
Source
In a sentencing agreement finalized Wednesday, the prosecutor, Ross Robert Huggins, 44, was placed in the county's alternative sentencing program to complete the final day of the 48-hour term handed down to him by visiting Superior Court Judge John R. Morrison.
Huggins, who entered his plea Tuesday in Sacramento Superior Court, received credit for one day already served. He will perform 60 hours of community service in the alternative program instead of having to report to the sheriff's work project.
Huggins was arrested Nov. 19 at 19th and J streets, Sacramento police said. His attorney, Linda Parisi, said that Huggins' blood-alcohol level at the time of his arrest was 0.10. A person is considered legally intoxicated in California at a 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level.
Parisi said "a lapse in judgment during a personally stressful time in his life" led to Huggins' arrest. Parisi did not elaborate. She said Huggins "takes full responsibility" for the incident.
Huggins did not return phone calls Wednesday.
Huggins is a member of the district attorney's STOP unit, an acronym for its state-targeted offenses program that focuses on prison crimes, car theft, welfare fraud, child abductions and mental health litigation.
Besides the 48-hour term, Parisi said Huggins was ordered to pay approximately $2,200 in fines and fees. She said his driver's license will be suspended for 30 days, after which he will be placed into a first-offender's program. His driving privileges will then be restricted for another 90 days to driving to and from work and the program.
Source
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Judge denies hit-and-run suspect's 'no contest' plea in triple fatal crash
SACRAMENTO, CA - The man accused of killing three people in a Sacramento crash last Saturday morning was denied a request to plead no contest to leaving the scene of an accident.
Omar Carrasco was arrested Saturday night in the 3:30 a.m. crash at the intersection of Center Parkway and Cosumnes River Boulevard.
According to Sacramento Police Sgt. Norm Leong, an Acura and a Lincoln collided in the middle of the road. The impact pushed both cars into a nearby field. The Acura caught fire.
Leong said two men died inside the burning car. Another was found in the grass nearby. Officials said he also died at the scene.
The three men were Gregory Valenzuela, 22; Raoul Perez, 23and Manuel Ruiz, 24.
A fourth man, also ejected during the crash, was rushed to Kaiser Permanente's south Sacramento hospital but was expected to survive, Leong said.
According to investigators, Carrasco fled the scene. He was found seeking medical treatment at Kaiser Saturday night and arrested.
During Tuesday's proceedings, the Sacramento County District Attorney's office formally charged Carrasco with felony hit and run causing death.
Carrasco entered a plea of no contest, however the judge denied the plea.
After Tuesday's hearing, Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Grippi explained the judge's denial was based on Proposition 9 that was passed last year.
"The victims' families have a right to be present, if they so request, at any kind of an important proceedings in a case. Right now they're preparing for funerals and not available to be in court," Grippi said.
Another man who survived the crash and his family were present at Tuesday's proceedings.
If other family members of the victims are able to make Wednesday's court hearing, Grippi said he would accept the Carrasco's plea of no contest, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in state prison.
Grippi added Carrasco could face further charges, but it was unclear if or when that would happen. "The investigation is ongoing. The police department is still investigating and if the evidence supports further charges, we will charge him," Grippi said.
Sacramento Police Department investigators have not yet determined which car caused the crash.
According to DMV records, Carrasco has a history of DUI arrests. His license had been suspended five times for DUI-related offenses.
His latest suspension was in February for cancellation of a specific type of insurance required for anyone convicted of DUI.
Source
Omar Carrasco was arrested Saturday night in the 3:30 a.m. crash at the intersection of Center Parkway and Cosumnes River Boulevard.
According to Sacramento Police Sgt. Norm Leong, an Acura and a Lincoln collided in the middle of the road. The impact pushed both cars into a nearby field. The Acura caught fire.
Leong said two men died inside the burning car. Another was found in the grass nearby. Officials said he also died at the scene.
The three men were Gregory Valenzuela, 22; Raoul Perez, 23and Manuel Ruiz, 24.
A fourth man, also ejected during the crash, was rushed to Kaiser Permanente's south Sacramento hospital but was expected to survive, Leong said.
According to investigators, Carrasco fled the scene. He was found seeking medical treatment at Kaiser Saturday night and arrested.
During Tuesday's proceedings, the Sacramento County District Attorney's office formally charged Carrasco with felony hit and run causing death.
Carrasco entered a plea of no contest, however the judge denied the plea.
After Tuesday's hearing, Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Grippi explained the judge's denial was based on Proposition 9 that was passed last year.
"The victims' families have a right to be present, if they so request, at any kind of an important proceedings in a case. Right now they're preparing for funerals and not available to be in court," Grippi said.
Another man who survived the crash and his family were present at Tuesday's proceedings.
If other family members of the victims are able to make Wednesday's court hearing, Grippi said he would accept the Carrasco's plea of no contest, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in state prison.
Grippi added Carrasco could face further charges, but it was unclear if or when that would happen. "The investigation is ongoing. The police department is still investigating and if the evidence supports further charges, we will charge him," Grippi said.
Sacramento Police Department investigators have not yet determined which car caused the crash.
According to DMV records, Carrasco has a history of DUI arrests. His license had been suspended five times for DUI-related offenses.
His latest suspension was in February for cancellation of a specific type of insurance required for anyone convicted of DUI.
Source
Friday, May 28, 2010
GOP state senator arrested on suspicion of DUI
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—A Republican state senator from Bakersfield was arrested early Wednesday on suspicion of drunken driving near the state Capitol, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Lt. Jay Bart said Sen. Roy Ashburn was spotted driving erratically about 2:10 a.m. in downtown Sacramento. He was arrested after a sobriety test and was taken to Sacramento County Jail, where he was given a blood-alcohol test. He then was booked and released.
Bart said he is prohibited from releasing Ashburn's blood-alcohol level.
"I am deeply sorry for my actions and offer no excuse for my poor judgment. I accept complete responsibility for my conduct and am prepared to accept the consequences for what I did," Ashburn said in a statement issued through his Senate office. "I am also truly sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me—my family, my constituents, my friends, and my colleagues in the Senate."
Ashburn, who is 55, represents a district that includes Kern, Tulare, Inyo and San Bernardino counties.
He is termed out this year after eight years in the Senate and six years in the Assembly.
Lt. Jay Bart said Sen. Roy Ashburn was spotted driving erratically about 2:10 a.m. in downtown Sacramento. He was arrested after a sobriety test and was taken to Sacramento County Jail, where he was given a blood-alcohol test. He then was booked and released.
Bart said he is prohibited from releasing Ashburn's blood-alcohol level.
"I am deeply sorry for my actions and offer no excuse for my poor judgment. I accept complete responsibility for my conduct and am prepared to accept the consequences for what I did," Ashburn said in a statement issued through his Senate office. "I am also truly sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me—my family, my constituents, my friends, and my colleagues in the Senate."
Ashburn, who is 55, represents a district that includes Kern, Tulare, Inyo and San Bernardino counties.
He is termed out this year after eight years in the Senate and six years in the Assembly.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Sacramento man gets long prison stretch after drug-fueled run-in with Roseville cops
A Sacramento man with a long criminal record must serve 25 years to life in prison after his 2009 meth-laced run in with the Roseville Police Department.
Anthony Joseph DiBernardo, 50, of Sacramento, was convicted in Placer Superior Court this week for driving under the influence and resisting an officer.
In May, DiBernardo was pulled over for driving with expired registration. During the stop, the responding officer suspected DiBernardo was under the influence of a substance. The Placer County District Attorney's Office said DiBernardo attempted to swallow a plastic bag of methamphetamine and wrestled with the officer.
The DUI and resisting counts triggered a mandatory 25-to-life sentence.
His record includes an 1988 crime spree that included a three-home burglary binge and an attempted rape of a 14-year-old girl, offenses committed before the state's three-strikes mandatory sentencing law took effect.
During this week's sentencing, DiBernardo sought to have his old convictions disregarded -- an argument Judge Joseph O'Flaherty rejected.
Prosecutor Benjamin Eggert argued that DiBernardo continued to break the law in the 1990s. His more recent crimes included a misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon and twice failing to register as a sex offender.
"This guy had his chances," Eggert said. "He's exactly the kind of person the three-strikes law was written for."
Source
Anthony Joseph DiBernardo, 50, of Sacramento, was convicted in Placer Superior Court this week for driving under the influence and resisting an officer.
In May, DiBernardo was pulled over for driving with expired registration. During the stop, the responding officer suspected DiBernardo was under the influence of a substance. The Placer County District Attorney's Office said DiBernardo attempted to swallow a plastic bag of methamphetamine and wrestled with the officer.
The DUI and resisting counts triggered a mandatory 25-to-life sentence.
His record includes an 1988 crime spree that included a three-home burglary binge and an attempted rape of a 14-year-old girl, offenses committed before the state's three-strikes mandatory sentencing law took effect.
During this week's sentencing, DiBernardo sought to have his old convictions disregarded -- an argument Judge Joseph O'Flaherty rejected.
Prosecutor Benjamin Eggert argued that DiBernardo continued to break the law in the 1990s. His more recent crimes included a misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon and twice failing to register as a sex offender.
"This guy had his chances," Eggert said. "He's exactly the kind of person the three-strikes law was written for."
Source
Thursday, April 15, 2010
DUI Suspect Had Daughter In Car
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Police arrested a dad accused of driving drunk as his 8-year-old daughter rode in his car.
David B. Michel, 52, was taken into custody Monday after at least one bystander reported him to authorities.
Police Sgt. Norm Leong said according to witness accounts, Michel had been drinking at Crawdad's River Cantina at 1375 Garden Highway.
Someone approached Michel and urged him not to drive, according to a police report.
However, Michel got into his car anyway, Leong said.
Police were called and Michel was arrested, police said.
Source
David B. Michel, 52, was taken into custody Monday after at least one bystander reported him to authorities.
Police Sgt. Norm Leong said according to witness accounts, Michel had been drinking at Crawdad's River Cantina at 1375 Garden Highway.
Someone approached Michel and urged him not to drive, according to a police report.
However, Michel got into his car anyway, Leong said.
Police were called and Michel was arrested, police said.
Source
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