Off-duty LAPD cop arrested on suspicion of DUI in Diamond Bar crash
An off-duty Los Angeles police officer was arrested early Friday on suspicion of driving under the influence after he allegedly crashed his car into a McDonald’s drive-through in Diamond Bar, officials said.
Jonathan Chel, 29, of Fullerton, was exiting the eastbound 60 Freeway at Golden Springs Drive about 1:15 a.m. when his Mazda 3 veered off the exit ramp, according to a California Highway Patrol report.
The vehicle crossed over to an on-ramp before it “launched” across a 50-foot gulf, coming to rest in the drive-through at Golden Springs and Brea Boulevard, the CHP said.
Los Angeles County firefighters pulled Chel from the vehicle, and he was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center for injuries the CHP described as moderate. A CHP officer responded to the hospital and arrested Chel on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, the agency said.
Los Angeles police Officer Luis Garcia confirmed Chel was off duty at the time, but referred other questions about the incident to the CHP, which is handling the investigation.
No other vehicles were involved, the CHP said. Chel was the lone occupant of his car.
Twitter: @katemather | Google+
kate.mather@latimes.com
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