Elite Metro officer accused of running over two people, leaving the scene at Saugus bar.
[view:node_ad=5]
A LAPD officer from the department’s elite Metro division pleaded not guilty Thursday to allegedly driving drunk, striking two pedestrians with his Hummer and then fleeing the scene of the accident last June.
William Skett, 34, pleaded not guilty to one count of DUI causing injury, one count of driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol level and leaving the scene, all felonies, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Natalie Adomian with the Justice System Integrity Division. The complaint includes great bodily injury allegations involving two victims. Skett entered the plea before Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Kristi Lousteau.
On our about June 21, 2008, Skett allegedly hit a woman and a man as he backed his vehicle out of a Saugus parking lot. The driver got out of his vehicle, saw the victims lying injured on the ground and then allegedly abandoned his vehicle and left the scene, sheriff’s detectives said.
Authorities said the woman suffered multiple broken ribs and collapsed lungs. The man received minor cuts and bruises, authorities said.
On the night of the incident, sheriff’s deputies found the abandoned Hummer at the parking lot near Bouquet Canyon and SoledadCanyon roads and traced the vehicle to Skett. He was arrested at his home and later released on $50,000 bail.
If convicted, he faces up to seven years, eight months in state prison. He is scheduled to return to Division 30 on March 23 for preliminary hearing setting.