A Camp Pendleton Marine is facing three counts of vehicular manslaughter for his role in a Valentine's Day car crash in Dana Point that left three of his fellow Marines dead.
The Orange County District Attorney charged Jared Ray Hale, 25, with:
Three felony counts of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated without gross negligence with sentencing enhancements and allegations for driving with a blood alcohol level over.15 percent and causing great bodily injury.
As Home Post reported at the time of the crash, Sgt. Jeremiah Callahan, 23; Cpl. Jason Chleborad, 22; and Cpl. Christopher Arzola, 21 all lost their lives when Hale drove a Dodge Stratus into a tree after a night out at an Orange County bar.
Callahan and Arzola were pronounced dead at the scene. Chleborad died later at an area hospital.
According to the Orange County D.A.:
Hale was knocked unconscious in the crash and was transported to Mission Hospital, where he was treated for brain trauma and a fractured arm. Approximately an hour and a half after the crash, the defendant is accused of having a blood alcohol level of .16 percent.
Hale is currently recuperating in a medical rehab facility. The Orange County D.A. wants him held on $100,000 bail when he's released. No arraignment date has been set.
Hale faces up to ten years in prison if convicted of all charges.
