Community Corner

Review: Sheriff's Deputy's Lakeside Crash Under Review

Originally posted by Peter Schelden (Editor) , September 30, 2013 at 9:07 AM

The deputy who crashed into a light pole near Lake Mission Viejo is being reviewed by the Orange County Sheriff's Department's Internal Affairs Unit.

Deputy Adewale Olukoju, 44, who was not wearing a seatbelt when he sped 70-75 MPH into a light pole in June, continues to collect a paycheck during the investigation, OCSD Lt. Jeff Hallock said.

Olukoju has not returned to work though, Hallock said, because he is on leave for worker's compensation.

Olukoju was ejected from his police cruiser after he crashed while traveling south on Marguerite near Vista Del Lago. He was not responding to an emergency, authorities said. The deputy is not suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.

A traffic investigation of the crash has been completed by the OCSD, but the investigation report will not be released to the public, Hallock said.

"The law says you can't release certain things in a peace officer's file," he said.

The internal affairs investigation began a "month or two ago," Hallock said. The investigation could take as long as one year, but is more likely to be concluded in a few months, he said.

"Internal affairs takes any kind of misconduct by any employee extremely seriously," he said. "It will go through the process and the proper discipline will be given if he is found at fault."

Olukoju was not placed on administrative leave, often the first step before a county employee is fired.

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