| Orange County California - Sheriff's Department

OCSD to conduct Motorcycle Safety Enforcement

May 21, 2021

STANTON, Ca. (May 21, 2021): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have extra deputies out on patrol Saturday, May 24, in the city of Stanton looking for violations made by drivers and motorcyclists that increase the risk of crashes.

With nearly 900,000 registered motorcycles in the state, many roads users are going places without the same protections as drivers. Motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than vehicle occupants.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers:

• Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots

• Use your signal when changing lanes

• Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance

• When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning

Motorcyclist:

• Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear like gloves and leather clothing

• Consider adding reflective tape to your clothing to make it easier for other drivers to see you

• Keep your lights on at all times, even during the day

• Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles

• Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic, or between large vehicles like big rigs and motor homes

All motorcycle riders, regardless of skill level, are encouraged to enroll in the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at http://www.californiamotorcyclist.com/ or by calling 1-877 RIDE-411 (1-877-743-3411).Funding for motorcycle safety enforcement operations are provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

OC Sheriff’s investigate suspected assault of OC Jail inmate by deputy, case submitted to OCDA for filing consideration

April 21, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Public Affairs Director Carrie Braun

CBraun@ocsd.org | C: 714-904-7042

OC Sheriff’s investigate suspected assault of OC Jail inmate by deputy, case submitted to OCDA for filing consideration

SANTA ANA, Ca. (April 21, 2021): Today, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department submitted a case to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office regarding a deputy suspected of assaulting an inmate in the Orange County Jail.

On Thursday April 1, 2021, a deputy working in the mental health-housing module at the Intake Release Center was serving an inmate with a disciplinary notice for a jail rule violation. The deputy requested the inmate sign the notice through the cell door hatch. The inmate refused to sign the notice and instead, extended his arms through the open hatch on the door. The inmate refused to bring his arms back inside the cell, preventing the deputy from securing the hatch. The deputy left and returned a short time later with two other deputies so they could assist in gaining voluntary compliance from the inmate.

The deputies approached the inmate and again requested his compliance to bring his hands back inside the cell. When the inmate refused, a deputy is suspected of throwing hot water on the inmate’s arm. During a later security check, the inmate told another deputy that he was injured from the incident and requested medical assistance. The inmate had visible injuries and was provided medical attention.

The following day, on April 2, three deputies from the Intake Release Center were placed on administrative leave. An internal criminal investigation was immediately launched, and led to the case submitted today to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

“I am absolutely intolerant of this behavior,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “Deputies working in the Orange County Jail are responsible for providing care and safety for the inmates in our custody, not causing harm or injury. Unfortunately, the actions of one can reflect on the many, but I want to make it clear that this is not indicative of the conduct of deputies inside the Orange County Jail. I have reiterated to our personnel that anything that even resembles this type of inexcusable behavior will not be allowed, and that anyone who goes beyond their training and Department policy will be held fully accountable. We have completed a criminal investigation and submitted it to the District Attorney’s Office for a prosecutorial decision. It is my expectation that the District Attorney will review this case in a timely manner to determine if charges are warranted.”

The Department will continue its internal affairs investigation to determine whether policy violations were committed, which is a separate process from the criminal investigation. The names of the three deputies are not being released at this time due to protections provided under state law.

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Motorcyclist arrested after fatal hit-and-run kills pedestrian

April 15, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Public Affairs Director Carrie Braun

CBraun@ocsd.org | C: 714-904-7042

Motorcyclist arrested after fatal hit-and-run kills pedestrian

SAN CLEMENTE, Ca. (April 15, 2021): The Orange County Sheriff’s Major Accident Reconstruction Team (MART) is investigating a fatal hit-and-run collision that occurred at approximately 9:50 p.m. on April 14 in the city of San Clemente. The investigation led to the arrest of a man located by patrol deputies less than an hour later.

Witnesses called Orange County Sheriff’s Dispatch to report a collision between a motorcyclist and a pedestrian near the area of El Camino Real and Boca De La Playa, and stated that the motorcyclist fled the scene after hitting the pedestrian. Deputies and the Orange County Fire Authority responded to the scene. OCFA pronounced the pedestrian, a female in her 60s, deceased at the scene.

A description of the motorcycle was provided, and deputies combed the area to attempt to locate the motorcyclist. A motorcycle matching the description was located by patrol deputies in a nearby neighborhood approximately 30 minutes after the incident. The person believed to be the driver of the motorcycle at the time of the collision, Adam Horner, 38, of San Clemente, was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and booked into Orange County Jail.

The victim has been identified by the Orange County Coroner as Susan Fernandez, 61, of San Clemente.

The Sheriff’s MART team will continue the investigation.

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17-068 Sustained Dishonesty

In April 2017, a deputy was dishonest in the performance of duty. The deputy was terminated in April 2018.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/SF-Dishonesty/Sustained%20Finding%20of%20Dishonesty.17-068.zip