East County CHP Sergeant, Officer Injured When Alleged DUI Driver Crashes Into Patrol Car

LAKESIDE, CA — A California Highway Patrol sergeant and an officer were among six people injured early Friday when a suspected DUI driver reportedly ran a red light at a Lakeside intersection and crashed into a CHP patrol car.

The incident occurred about 1 a.m. on Julian Avenue near Los Coches Road, according to a statement from CHP Officer Kevin Pearlstein.

The alleged DUI driver, identified by the CHP as Cerys Charlotte Mulvey, 19, of San Diego, was traveling westbound on Julian in a 2005 Hyundai Accent and after failing to stop for the light, Pearlstein said, collided with the marked, black-and-white CHP patrol vehicle. As the front of the patrol vehicle struck the right front of the Hyundai, both cars came to rest blocking the intersection.

Mulvey and three passengers of the Hyundai complained of pain and were taken by ambulances to local hospitals. The officer and sergeant in the patrol vehicle were also transported with minor injuries.

The intersection was temporarily closed as the collision was investigated.

"There is evidence to indicate that drugs and alcohol may have been a factor in this collision," Pearlstein said.

Upon her release from the hospital, Mulvey was booked into Las Colinas Women’s Detention Facility in Santee on suspicion of DUI with great bodily injury.

As of Friday afternoon, jail records showed she was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, with arraignment set for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Patch file photo/Maggie Avants