Last week Tuesday, two men walking near Del Amo and Long Beach Blvd were struck by a minivan at around 12:40 pm. The driver was identified as Charlette Anne Colton, a 50-year-old woman from Lakewood. Records indicate that Colton had more than twice the legal limit of blood alcohol concentration when she collided into the unidentified men.
Long Beach Police reported that both men have since been hospitalized. The force of the collision resulted in one of the victim’s legs being severely crushed, while the other was left in critical condition, fighting to recover from his injuries.
Instead of cooperating, Colton allegedly fled the scene of the crime but was located and arrested that same afternoon. Driving while under the influence is one of the most reckless and dangerous things a driver can do. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office reported Colton’s blood alcohol concentration was over .20 percent. Unfortunately, this is not Colton’s first offense; in 2012, authorities convicted her of a DUI.
A Hefty Price To Pay
Based on her repeat DUI, her high BAC level and the great bodily harm she caused due to the collision, Colton is being charged with additional penalties.
She faces one felony count each of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense, driving with a 0.08 percent-blood-alcohol content causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense, and a hit-and-run driving resulting in serious injury to another person. On March 27th, she attended court in Long Beach and was put in jail with a $100,000 bail. Colton can face up to nine years if convicted of the aforementioned charges.
Because of their injuries, the victims are susceptible to high levels of stress and worry that could severely disrupt their daily lives, such as in their work, finances, family life, and more. The defendant herself will have to present a strong case in order to contest the charges presented against her. DUIs change lives.
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