The Antelope Valley Times

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Passenger seriously injured, driver arrested in alleged DUI crash

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The car overturned several times before coming to rest in the desert, authorities said. (Photo by ED FROMMER)
The car overturned several times before coming to rest in the desert, authorities said. (Photo by ED FROMMER)

PALMDALE – A 21-year-old Pearblossom woman was seriously injured Sunday night when the vehicle she was riding in veered off the road and flipped several times in a desert field, authorities said.

The driver, 23-year-old Michael Hepburn of Pearblossom, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to Officer Gil Hernandez of the California Highway Patrol’s Antelope Valley Office.

The single vehicle collision happened around 9:30 p.m. Sunday on 50th Street East, just south of Avenue M, Hernandez said.

Hepburn was driving a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, headed southbound on 50th Street East, when he allowed his vehicle to veer off the main portion of the roadway and onto the dirt, Hernandez said.

“Hepburn lost control of the vehicle, it overturned numerous times,” Hernandez said.

The 21-year-old passenger, whose name was not released, suffered major injuries, including a fractured pelvis, Hernandez said.

Hepburn suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital for treatment. He received medical clearance and then he was arrested for DUI around 10:25 p.m. Sunday.

Hepburn was booked at the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station early Monday morning in lieu of $100,000 bail.

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

10 comments for "Passenger seriously injured, driver arrested in alleged DUI crash"

  1. It would be nice if the checkpoints would actually be setup closer to 50th St. East and anywhere from when you get off at the roundabout in Palmdale to Avenue I in Lancaster. 50th is well known for drunk drivers to go, due to the lack of streetlights and police presence.
    I’ve only ever seen the police there at the beginning of the month early in the morning catching the speeding drivers going to work or school. 50th has always been a dangerous drive going back and forth from Lancaster and Palmdale due to the speeders and drunks.

  2. One accident after another yet when there is a Check Point there might be 1 Arrest…Time to switch up the Game Plan!

  4. Does the police report differentiate between drunk driving and marijuana impaired driving? Just wondering.

    • I beleive under the influence of a controlled substance is just that…Driving under the influence…same difference. Just because you carry a medical marijuana card does not give you the right to be driving under the influence.
      How do they test for this? I don’t not know, guess we will have to ask that question as well?

  5. Another DUI bites the dust. Alcohol sure has a way of getting rid of irresponsible people.

    • Boat loads of CHP out on the highway today in the AV. So looks like there will be a big push on traffic enforcement and looking out for drunks.

      • I dont think that they are out looking for drunks. It is coming to the end of the month and they need to meet their quota for tickets so that they dont get repremanded for not doing their jobs. You only see them out in force when it is towards the end of the month.