San Fernando : Drunk Driver Gets 1-Year Jail Term
A San Fernando man was sentenced to a year in jail after he pleaded no contest to drunk driving and failing to install an ignition-locking device on his car, Los Angeles city attorneys said.
Dale O’Brien, 38, was sentenced after entering his plea to one count each of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a license suspended due to a previous drunk-driving conviction and failing to obey a court order to install an ignition-interlock device on his vehicle, attorneys said.
A 1993 California law requires repeat drunk drivers to either install ignition-interlock devices on their cars or be banned from driving for a year.
The devices work by jamming the ignition if the driver, after blowing into a breath analyzer, registers a blood-alcohol level of .02% or above. In order to start the car, the driver must blow into the analyzer. California law prohibits anyone with a level of .08 from driving.
O’Brien was ordered to install the device after his conviction in December for drunk driving in San Fernando, said Los Angeles City Atty. James Hahn.
But when he was arrested again for drunk driving in April following a minor collision in North Hills, the interlock device had not been installed, said Deputy City Atty. Victor Kalustian, who handled the case.
O’Brien was ordered to surrender in San Fernando Municipal Court on Oct. 13 to begin his jail term, officials said.
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