LAKEPORT— A 36-year-old Lakeport man recently entered a no contest plea in regards to a deadly DUI crash that fatally struck a Clearlake Oaks man last September.
The defendant, Steven Michael Pruitt, was recently present at the Lake County Superior Court and in custody for the scheduled jury trial.
During the hearing, the defendant entered a no contest plea to the DUI – Under the influence of drug while causing injury felony charge.
A no contest plea means the defendant agrees to accept the conviction for the crime, avoiding the factual admission of guilt.
The Court accepted the defendant’s plea and the matter has been referred to the Lake County Probation Department for the preparation of a pre-sentencing report.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 2, 2022.
The charges stem from an accident in the morning hours of Sept. 22, 2021 when Pruitt was driving a blue Chevrolet Camaro west of the Rodman Slough.
Pruitt allegedly crossed the solid double yellow lines, driving directly into the oncoming lane. The defendant collided head-on with an eastbound Honda Civic, killing the driver, 64-year-old Lonnie Ray Sullivan, of Clearlake Oaks.
The defendant remains in custody with bail remaining set at $1 million.
Suspected DUI defendant to enter plea this month
A four-vehicle collision last July in Clearlake Oaks that sent several people to the hospital left a Pacifica man to face numerous DUI charges.
Stephen Robert William, 38, was present by remote appearance and not in custody at the Lake County Superior Court for a recent recall of his warrant.
In February of this year the defendant was not present as his retained defense attorney, Jonathan B. Steele, stated his client was still having medical issues from the vehicle accident and requested the matter be continued.
There was a felony warrant issued for the defendant on February 15, 2022 and he requested the warrant be cleared.
The Court did not make any orders at that time but during the recent hearing the Court recalled the arrest warrant.
The Court left the bail as set in order for the following conditions to be imposed:
- Will not drive a motor vehicle unless validly licensed and insured
- Obey all laws
- Will not possess or have under his control any alcoholic beverage and will not enter any public place where the primary item sold or dispensed is an alcoholic beverage. The defendant will abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages.
The matter has been set for an entry of plea hearing/setting on April 12, 2022 at 10 a.m. in Department 3.
The defendant is ordered to be present and a Zoom appearance is acceptable.
The defendant has been charged with seven counts of DUI – Alcohol while causing injury and three counts of driving under the influence of alcohol.
The charges stem from an incident last July when Williams was driving west on Highway 20 near Sulphur Bank Drive at an alleged high rate of speed when he collided with the vehicle in front of him.
According to CHP, both vehicles crossed over into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with other vehicles.
As a result of the collision, the defendant suffered major injuries and was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Clear Lake CHP officers observed symptoms and an indication of alcohol intoxication and was arrested.
Three other people were flown to UC Davis Medical Center, one with serious injuries, and three others suffered minor injuries.
In another matter, Williams has been charged for a hit and run with property damage.
