SANTA ANA -- A Long Beach Fire Captain was charged Wednesday morning with felony drunk driving and hit-and-run and a $250,000 warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Capt. John Hines faces a possible six years in prison if convicted on all counts, according to the Orange County District Attorney's office.
Hines -- who has been suspended from duty pending the criminal matter -- was arrested April 1 after he allegedly hit a cyclist while driving erratically on Westminster Avenue in Seal Beach at about 1:30 p.m. and fled. He was chased by witnesses to his Huntington Beach home where he was arrested by Seal Beach Police.
According to the criminal filing, Hines blood alcohol level measured .24 more than two hours after his arrest and was three times the legal limit of .08.
The 38-year-old firefighter was charged Wednesday with one felony count each of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, driving with a blood alcohol .08 percent or more causing injury, hit and run with injury, and sentencing enhancements and allegations for causing great bodily injury and having a blood alcohol level over .20 percent.
According to the felony complaint Hines is accused of losing control of his vehicle and suddenly swerving into the bike lane and dirt shoulder. Without slowing or hitting his brakes, he allegedly crashed into 47-year-old bicyclist Jeffrey Gordon. The victim was thrown from his bike over 70 feet and landed on the shoulder of the road. Hines is accused of failing to slow or hit his brakes after crashing into the victim and fleeing the scene.
The complaint further states that two separate drivers who witnessed the crash followed the defendant and called 911. Hines is accused of driving to his Huntington Beach home, where he was contacted by the Huntington Beach and Seal Beach police.
Hines allegedly showed signs of intoxication including a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot and watery eyes, unsteady balance, and a strong odor of urine from his clothing, according to court documents.
The force of the impact from the crash caused by Hines left a blood splatter on Hine's truck and resulted in major front-end fender and hood damage, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors contend the cyclist was taken to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center with head trauma, severe lacerations and bruising to his head and body, internal injuries, and spinal and vertebrae injuries.
The victim was hospitalized for two weeks and continues to suffer limited physical mobility and speech and memory loss, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Capt. John Hines faces a possible six years in prison if convicted on all counts, according to the Orange County District Attorney's office.
Hines -- who has been suspended from duty pending the criminal matter -- was arrested April 1 after he allegedly hit a cyclist while driving erratically on Westminster Avenue in Seal Beach at about 1:30 p.m. and fled. He was chased by witnesses to his Huntington Beach home where he was arrested by Seal Beach Police.
According to the criminal filing, Hines blood alcohol level measured .24 more than two hours after his arrest and was three times the legal limit of .08.
The 38-year-old firefighter was charged Wednesday with one felony count each of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, driving with a blood alcohol .08 percent or more causing injury, hit and run with injury, and sentencing enhancements and allegations for causing great bodily injury and having a blood alcohol level over .20 percent.
According to the felony complaint Hines is accused of losing control of his vehicle and suddenly swerving into the bike lane and dirt shoulder. Without slowing or hitting his brakes, he allegedly crashed into 47-year-old bicyclist Jeffrey Gordon. The victim was thrown from his bike over 70 feet and landed on the shoulder of the road. Hines is accused of failing to slow or hit his brakes after crashing into the victim and fleeing the scene.
The complaint further states that two separate drivers who witnessed the crash followed the defendant and called 911. Hines is accused of driving to his Huntington Beach home, where he was contacted by the Huntington Beach and Seal Beach police.
Hines allegedly showed signs of intoxication including a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot and watery eyes, unsteady balance, and a strong odor of urine from his clothing, according to court documents.
The force of the impact from the crash caused by Hines left a blood splatter on Hine's truck and resulted in major front-end fender and hood damage, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors contend the cyclist was taken to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center with head trauma, severe lacerations and bruising to his head and body, internal injuries, and spinal and vertebrae injuries.
The victim was hospitalized for two weeks and continues to suffer limited physical mobility and speech and memory loss, according to the District Attorney's Office.
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