In July of 2021 – a four-vehicle collision in Clearlake Oaks that sent several people to the hospital left a Pacifica man to face numerous DUI charges.
The defendant, Stephen Robert Williams, was present and in custody for his sentencing.
The Court read and considered the report and recommendation of the Lake County Probation Officer.
Probation was denied and the Court made the following findings:
—The defendant was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage at the time of the commission of the offense.
—The defendant has a demonstrated history of substance abuse.
—The offense(s) for which the defendant was convicted are drug related.
—The defendant has complied with the relinquishment of firearms.
—The defendant was advised that being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both, impairs your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Therefore, it is extremely dangerous to human life to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both. Should the defendant continue to drive under the influence and, as a result of that driving, someone is killed, the defendant can be charged with murder.
It is the judgement of the Court that the defendant is guilty of a felony violation of VC23153(a) (DUI-alcohol while causing injury) and the punishment therefore that he be imprisoned in state prison for three years. This term has been ordered doubled per PC1170.12(c) (provides for mandatory sentences for second- and third-time offenders-those defendants with one prior serious and/or violent felony conviction face a mandatory sentence of twice the term.
It was further judgement of the Court that the defendant is guilty of another felony violation of VC23153(a) and the punishment therefore that he be imprisoned in state prison for 8 months. This term is also ordered doubled.
The Court orders an additional three-year term added to the base term, making the total term imposed 10 years and 4 months.
The defendant is awarded 82 days of credit for time served and 12 days of conduct credits, for a total of 94 days credit.
The defendant has been remanded to the custody of the Lake County Sheriff to be delivered to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The Court also ordered restitution fines totaling $600. Restitution has been reserved for the victim.
Last month the defendant entered a no contest plea to DUI- Alcohol while causing injury.
A no contest plea is the acceptance of a conviction without admitting factual guilt.
Williams also admitted to a prior strike of robbery in Sonoma County from 2015.
On the motion of the People, the Court ordered the remaining charges dismissed in the interest of justice.
The Court advised the defendant that he is prohibited from owning, purchasing, receiving, possessing, or having under his custody/control any firearms, ammunition/feeding devices, including but not limited to magazines.
This matter has been referred to the Lake County Probation Department in order to investigate and prepare a presentencing report.
The jury trial was vacated at that time.
Earlier this year the defendant entered a not guilty plea to all counts and he denied the special allegations.
The issue of bail was argued with consideration of safety of the public and/or victims, ability to pay and his record of past allegations.
The Court had decided that bail remains as previously set.
At that time the matter had been scheduled for a settlement conference and jury trial, which have both been vacated.
Being the defendant was not present for a hearing last year, the Court found no good cause for his non-appearance and issued a bench warrant for failure to appear.
On March 22, 2024 the defendant was arrested on that felony bench warrant by the Clearlake Police Dept. and booked at the Lake County Jail in Lakeport.
During a hearing last year the defendant’s bail was exonerated.
During a hearing in 2023 the defendant was present and not in custody, waiving his rights to a preliminary hearing. The Court and the People consented to the defendant’s waiver.
At that time it was ordered that the defendant be held to answer to the charges.
In 2023 the defendant was not present for a hearing as his defense counsel, Attorney Jonathan B. Steele, was present through California Penal Code 977. This Penal Code allows an attorney to appear on the client’s behalf without the defendant/client present.
There is another case trailing this matter in which the defendant is charged with a hit and run with property damage. Last month Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson stated she will be moving to amend the complaint in this case to modify the charges to a felony.
The defendant was not present last year for a preliminary hearing.
Defense Counsel, Jonathan B Steele, informed the Court that the defendant contacted him the day prior to the hearing to inform him that he was having medical issues.
At that time the matter was trailed to see if defense counsel had medical records.
When the matter was recalled, defense counsel stated he did not have medical records and he had not been able to have contact with the defendant,
The Court found no good cause for the defendant’s non-appearance. The Court ordered the issuance of a Bench Warrant – Failure to Appear with bail set in the amount of $70,000.
In 2022 the defendant was not present at a recent hearing while his attorney, Jonathan B. Steele, was again present by remote appearance through California Penal Code 977.
During the hearing there was a discussion as to the subpoenaed records that should have been received. There was also concern to the necessity of having these documents for the preliminary hearing.
Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson stated that she would look in to the matter of the records as Defense Attorney Steele requested the matter be continued in order to allow for the subpoenaed record issue to be resolved.
The Court, pursuant to the request of the defendant, ordered this matter be continued.
During a hearing in Sept. of 2022 there was a stipulation to continue the preliminary hearing due to both counsel missing information on some alleged victims.
The matter had been continued at that time as well.
The parties stipulated that the subpoenaed medical records in the clerk’s file may be released to Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson for copying and then returned to the clerk’s file. There was no chain of custody objections.
In April of 2022 the defendant was present by remote appearance and not in custody at the Lake County Superior Court for a recall of his warrant.
In Feb. of 2022 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 Feb. 15, 2022 and he requested the warrant be cleared.
The Court did not make any orders at that time but the Court did recall 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 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 in July of 2021 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.
