SANTA ANA -- A preliminary hearing date was set Friday for a Long Beach Fire Department captain accused of severely injuring a bicyclist in a drunk driving and hit-and-run crash.
John Hines -- who was immediately suspended from duty pending the criminal matter -- was arrested April 1, after he allegedly hit a cyclist while driving drunk on Westminster Avenue in Seal Beach at about 1:30 p.m.
The 38-year-old allegedly fled the scene and was chased by witnesses to his Huntington Beach home, where he was arrested by Seal Beach police, authorities said.
Hines has been charged with one felony count each of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or more causing injury, hit and run with injury, and sentencing enhancements and allegations of causing great bodily injury and having a blood alcohol level over .20 percent.
Deputy District Attorney Andrew Katz said Hines' blood alcohol level measured a staggering .24 percent more than two hours after the crash.
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 more than 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, Katz said.
Gordon suffered head trauma, severe lacerations, internal injuries and spinal injuries and continues to suffered limited mobility and speech and memory loss, authorities said.
Hines appeared Friday at the Central Courthouse in Santa Ana for a pre-trial hearing. A preliminary hearing date was scheduled for July 29, according to court documents.
Preliminary hearings are held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to try a defendant.
Hines remains out of custody on bail pending trial.
John Hines -- who was immediately suspended from duty pending the criminal matter -- was arrested April 1, after he allegedly hit a cyclist while driving drunk on Westminster Avenue in Seal Beach at about 1:30 p.m.
The 38-year-old allegedly fled the scene and was chased by witnesses to his Huntington Beach home, where he was arrested by Seal Beach police, authorities said.
Hines has been charged with one felony count each of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or more causing injury, hit and run with injury, and sentencing enhancements and allegations of causing great bodily injury and having a blood alcohol level over .20 percent.
Deputy District Attorney Andrew Katz said Hines' blood alcohol level measured a staggering .24 percent more than two hours after the crash.
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 more than 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, Katz said.
Gordon suffered head trauma, severe lacerations, internal injuries and spinal injuries and continues to suffered limited mobility and speech and memory loss, authorities said.
Hines appeared Friday at the Central Courthouse in Santa Ana for a pre-trial hearing. A preliminary hearing date was scheduled for July 29, according to court documents.
Preliminary hearings are held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to try a defendant.
Hines remains out of custody on bail pending trial.
Leave a comment