A Santa Paula man has been charged in relation to a suspected DUI crash that injured his passenger as well as a California Highway Patrol officer, according to Ventura County Superior Court records.
Derek Hansen Skinner, 34, pleaded not guilty Sept. 29 to one count of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and causing injury and one count of driving with a 0.08% blood alcohol content and causing injury, according to records.
He also denied six special allegations, including that he caused great bodily injury to more than one victim. Such allegations, if found true, can lead to increased jail time during sentencing.
Around 11 p.m. Aug. 15, Skinner was driving northbound on Grimes Canyon in unincorporated Ventura County with a passenger
in his car, according to authorities.
As Skinner approached a curve in the road, he allegedly crossed into the southbound lane and collided head-on with a CHP vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
The officer suffered a head laceration and broken wrist, while Skinner's passenger had to be extricated from the vehicle. Both individuals had to be transported to a hospital, according to authorities. Skinner sustained an abrasion to his leg.
Prosecutors said Skinner performed poorly on his field sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol content of nearly twice the legal limit at the time of his arrest.
Skinner, who remains out of custody after posting $50,000 bail, has a pre-trial conference scheduled for Nov. 3, court records show.
Makena Huey is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at makena.huey@vcstar.com. This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation's Fund to Support Local Journalism. The foundation plays no role in story selection. The Star retains full editorial control.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Man charged with suspected DUI in crash that injured CHP officer
