STEVENSON RANCH, Calif. – A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and relieved of duty after he went missing after a traffic crash in Stevenson Ranch. He was later found near his home.
The deputy’s patrol SUV was found crashed in some bushes at Pico Canyon Road and Southern Oaks Drive at about 9:30 p.m. Friday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported.
Deputy Carlos Lopez was found about 10:20 p.m. Friday, LASD Deputy Brenda Serna told the Los Angeles Times.
Lopez, a member of the department’s Special Enforcement Bureau, was eventually taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital for treatment of a possible head injury and released a short time later.
He was arrested and released with a citation for a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence, which was confirmed by Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
“I have been notified of the incident involving an @LASDHQ employee. I am taking this incident seriously and will ensure this matter is properly investigated. Until the investigation is completed, I cannot comment on what the outcome will be,” wrote Sheriff Villanueva on his official social media account.
The deputy allegedly crashed his patrol SUV while on the way home, and another off-duty deputy came to the scene and drove him to his nearby home, the Santa Clarita Valley Signal reported.