Aftermath of the crash. Photo: Milton Phegley

PREVIOUSLY:

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From the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office:

After a six-day jury trial before Judge John Feeney, jurors convicted Dylan Koski Collins, 44 of Morro Bay, of driving under the influence causing injury and leaving the scene of an accident, both felony violations of the California Vehicle Code. The jury also found that Collins refused to submit to a chemical test to determine the alcohol content of his blood following his arrest, as set forth in a special allegation. Finally, Collins was found guilty of driving while his license was suspended due to his failure to submit to a chemical test less than a year ago during a prior DUI investigation.

The case against Collins arose from a two-car crash on US 101 just south of Kane Road near Trinidad on May 28, 2016. Collins caused the accident by crossing over into oncoming traffic and colliding with a tractor-trailer. The impact was enough to push the tractor-trailer onto its side and left its driver with injuries to his face, back, and shoulder.

Collins left the scene following the collision; California Highway Patrol officers determined that Collins was still under the influence of alcohol when he returned to the scene two hours later.

On the day the trial was set to begin in this felony matter, Collins pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence on July 31, 2015. Collins also pled guilty to resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer based on the fact that during the course of the July 2015 incident Collins attempted to run from investigating officers. In that misdemeanor case Collins also admitted to refusing to submit to a chemical test and to suffering a prior conviction for driving under the influence out of San Luis Obispo County.

Both matters have been referred to the Humboldt County Probation Department for pre-sentencing reports. Sentencing is scheduled for September 28, 2016. He is facing a potential maximum sentence of 3 years and 8 months.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney (D.A.) Brent Kling with assistance from D.A. Chief Investigator Wayne Cox, D.A. Investigators Adam Jager and Martin Perrone, and D.A. Information Systems Analyst Tom Pinto. Collins was represented by Deputy Public Defender Kaleb Cockrum of the Humboldt County Conflict Counsel’s Office.