Trial to Begin for Marine Charged in Deadly DUI Crash

Jury selection is slated to begin Tuesday for the trial of Jared Ray Hale, who is charged with killing three friends and fellow Marines in an alleged drunken driving crash in Dana Point.

Hale, who was 25 at the time of the 2012 wreck, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. According to police, Hale left Hennessey’s Tavern at 34111 La Plaza in Dana Point with three friends, who were all stationed at Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton. Around 2 a.m., as Hale approached a curve in Golden Lantern at the intersection at Terra Vista, he allegedly lost control of his vehicle, running over the landscaped center median and crashing into a tree, officials have said. The car spun around the tree and came to rest against the tree on the median.

The wreck killed Christopher Arzola, 21, of Massachusetts, Jeremiah Callahan, 23, of Nebraska, and Jason Chleborad, 22, of South Dakota. Callahan and Arzola were pronounced dead at the scene. Chleborad was transported to Mission Hospital, where he later died.

Hale was knocked unconscious in the crash and taken to Mission Hospital, where he was treated for brain trauma and a fractured arm. About an hour and a half after the crash, Hale’s blood alcohol level registered 0.16 percent, prosecutors said.

Hale’s mother launched a website in his name. Terrisena Freeman is hoping the site, DefendSgtHaleUSMC.com, raises awareness and funds for his defense.

• City News Service and Patch archives contributed to this report. Image from Patch Archives.