Former Mayor Suspected of DUI in Crash

Former Los Alamitos Mayor Catherine Ann Driscoll, 42, was hospitalized and cited for suspicion of driving under the influence after she drove off a freeway onramp and struck a tree, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Driscoll, who served one term at the helm of the city until 2008, is recovering following the May 30 crash.

“She was involved in a solo-vehicle traffic collision,” said Officer Raymus Payton, California Highway Patrol spokesman. “Our office made an arrest on May 30th. The charges were driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.”

Reached by phone Wednesday, Driscoll declined to comment, adding that she is not aware of the arrest.

“There is nothing that has been documented as of yet,” Driscoll said. “I don’t have anything that says I was arrested yet.”

It was about 11:42 p.m. on May 30 when CHP officers responded to a report of an accident off the southbound San Gabriel (605) Freeway Katella Avenue onramp.

“As she entered the onramp, [Driscoll] drove over the side and collided into a tree,” Payton said.

On the night of the wreck, she was transported to a nearby hospital, cited on suspicion of DUI, and released into the custody of a friend, Payton said. A blood sample submitted by Driscoll is being tested by the Orange County Crime Lab, he added.

The case had not been referred to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution as of Wednesday.