O.C. sheriff's official charged with DUI in Irvine accident

[Gladiator]

O.C. sheriff's official charged with DUI in Irvine accident | L.A. Now | Los Angeles Times

O.C. sheriff's official charged with DUI in Irvine accident
3:33 PM | May 29, 2009

A ranking Orange County sheriff’s official has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence of alcohol after causing a car accident in Irvine.

Irvine police arrested Lt. Erin Lorraine Guidice, 48, (former wife of Lt. Brent Guidice, former PSD Lt.) last month after the vehicle she was driving crashed into the back of another car stopped at a red light on Jamboree Road.

She was driving an unmarked Orange County Sheriff’s Department vehicle at the time, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office, which filed the charges Thursday.

Irvine police said Guidice had slurred speech, bloodshot and watery eyes and had trouble keeping her balance during a sobriety test. She had a blood alcohol level of 0.14%, or nearly twice the legal limit, authorities said.

The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

After the accident, Guidice was transferred from her post as head of the Orange County sheriff’s Harbor Patrol to a position at the county's Theo Lacy Jail.

If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of six months in jail. She is scheduled to be arraigned next month.

[YankeeDog]

Blood alcohol .14; man, that is smashed (no pun intended).
YD

[Harry Carry]

Yes, this is news. But let's all remember that the person involved has been through things few of us can imagine in the past year. That's not to excuse her actions, but keep that in mind if commenting.

[PHM]

Originally Posted by YankeeDog

Blood alcohol .14; man, that is smashed (no pun intended).
YD

She should be punished, but let not over state it, .14 is not smashed, .08 is the legal limit, that is about 2 to 3 beers in a 1 hour period for the average woman, so she had about 4 to 5 beers in an hour, that is not smashed, DUI for sure but not smashed IMO.

[EM2]

Originally Posted by Harry Carry

Yes, this is news. But let's all remember that the person involved has been through things few of us can imagine in the past year. That's not to excuse her actions, but keep that in mind if commenting.

Not sure why you posted that comment then.
We all go through things in life that are tragic and I for one have never considered that drinking alcohol is the answer.

Now the article mentions her reassignment to a jail facility, why not suspend her pending the outcome of an investigation. While it may be true that were I (a private citizen) to commit the same crime I most likely would not be suspended or fired until jailed. However this person as a "ranking Orange County sheriff’s official" holds the public trust and has violated that trust in a manner that harmed those she was entrusted to protect and in a government vehicle no less.

[PHM]

Originally Posted by EM2

Not sure why you posted that comment then.
We all go through things in life that are tragic and I for one have never considered that drinking alcohol is the answer.

Now the article mentions her reassignment to a jail facility, why not suspend her pending the outcome of an investigation. While it may be true that were I (a private citizen) to commit the same crime I most likely would not be suspended or fired until jailed. However this person as a "ranking Orange County sheriff’s official" holds the public trust and has violated that trust in a manner that harmed those she was entrusted to protect and in a government vehicle no less.

She lost a son to suicide, 99.9% of people have not experienced that. not excusing it, but if my son did that, I would do much worse things than just drink.

[BonoVox]

Originally Posted by Harry Carry

Yes, this is news. But let's all remember that the person involved has been through things few of us can imagine in the past year. That's not to excuse her actions, but keep that in mind if commenting.

I agree NO reason for us to pile on her. (we are all human) I pray for her and her family. I really hope she gets the proper support to help her through this dark time in her life. I can't imagine the pain.

But I also feel this is news that should be passed along. Was there something the upper management/leadership of the OCSD should have done to monitor this high ranking individual in the department? She was after all driving a county vehicle when this incident occurred. How did the department that deals in a high stress environment support her? (counseling?) I guess, I also have to ask was there a cover up regarding the situation until today about the fact she was in a county vehicle?

Have they covered up other incidents of high ranking individuals crashing county vehicles?

I don't know but this really sucks.

I have faith in the criminal justice system to get this right and most importantly, I really hope she gets the help she needs.

[BonoVox]

Originally Posted by PHM

She lost a son to suicide, 99.9% of people have not experienced that. not excusing it, but if my son did that, I would do much worse things than just drink.

Yeah I have to agree. Until you walk in those shoes we/I can't judge her.

[Harry Carry]

Well, considering the Sheriff herself had an accident in a county vehicle that was 'kept quiet'...

Oooops. Was I not supposed to mention that?

[1buba]

Originally Posted by PHM

She lost a son to suicide, 99.9% of people have not experienced that. not excusing it, but if my son did that, I would do much worse things than just drink.

While I won't condone DUI, she gets a pass from me on this one. I can't imagine that kind of pain.

[akulahawk]

She doesn't get a pass from me to DUI (she knows better), however, she gets a huge pass about getting drunk... She's gotta be self-medicating...

[EM2]

No pass from me either on the DUI, I had a neighbor who killed someone while he was DUI and a coworker died in an accident while he was also DUI. The coworker left behind 3 kids and a girlfriend.

And some of us have walked in those shoes or some very close to it and did not resort to that kind of behavior. YMMV

[gr8fatman]

While I sympathize with her personal issues, I don't feel that a pass in warranted. Her issues should be taken into consideration, but a complete pass. No way.

[RomanDad]

She has a serious problem.... She comes by it honestly, but she needs to get help with it before it gets worse.

[mark]

aw quit it already,