LAKEPORT — The city attorney for the city of Lakeport was involved in a non-injury car accident Thursday night and arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), according to Officer Steven Tanguay of the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Steven John Brookes, 53, of Kelseyville, has worked as Lakeport”s city attorney for more than 15 years. Brookes operates a private practice in Lakeport in addition to holding the half-time position with the city.
Brookes was driving a Volvo traveling eastbound on Main Street in Kelseyville around 7:10 p.m. Thursday when he crossed into the westbound lane and struck a Ford F-350 truck as it pulled out of a gas station located at Main Street and State Street, Tanguay said.
Brookes drove away from the scene of the incident and was later located on Konocti Road in Kelseyville, according to Tanguay.
Brookes was arrested for DUI and booked into the Lake County Jail at 9:30 p.m. Brookes was released from the jail at 11:10 p.m., according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff”s Office.
No injuries were reported among the woman driver and three female passengers in the Ford truck, Tanguay said, and the incident is still under investigation by the CHP.
Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira said the city could not make any comment on the situation as of Friday. “There”s just not enough information for me to make a comment at this time,” she said.
Brookes is scheduled to undergo a closed-session public employee performance evaluation during Tuesday”s Lakeport City Council meeting, according to the meeting agenda released Friday.
The Record-Bee made several attempts to contact Brookes on Friday, both by e-mail and telephone; messages were left and have gone unreturned to this point. The following comment was posted on facebook from Brookes”s account during the early morning hours Friday: “The CHP & jail staff were competent & professional. Don”t have too many and drive. If you do please learn from the experience and do not repete (sic) the bad experience. Handcuffs are not fun!!!”
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