HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE — An on-duty Lake County Sheriff”s Deputy was arrested Tuesday evening after crashing his patrol vehicle into a parked car in Hidden Valley Lake. According to California Highway Patrol (CHP) Deputy Bryan Smith, 33, was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of prescription medication.
CHP Officer Steve Tanguay said that at approximately 5:25 p.m. Deputy Smith was driving his patrol unit northbound on Mountain Meadow Road North when he allowed the vehicle to veer to the right where it struck a parked car. According to Sheriff”s Captain James Bauman, Smith was in the beginning of his shift and had not handled any calls for service prior to the crash. Captain Bauman said Smith was not en route to a call either. CHP response was requested to conduct an investigation of the crash, which Captain Bauman said is pursuant to sheriff”s department”s policy. “It will be left to them to determine what charges will be forwarded to the DA for possible complaint,” he said.
According to Officer Tanguay, when CHP officers arrived on scene Deputy Smith was showing signs of impairment. He said Deputy Smith was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence of prescription medication.
“A blood sample was obtained from Deputy Smith and he was transported to Lake County Jail for booking,” Officer Tanguay said.
Captain Bauman said the sheriff”s department is currently determining if an internal investigation is necessary. He said Deputy Smith is currently on approved leave for the time being.
Deputy Smith was the sole-occupant of the vehicle and he was not injured.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
