Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested for DUI After Rancho Cordova Crash Sparks Social Media Backlash
The suspect is a detective
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said one of its deputies was arrested Tuesday afternoon on suspicion of drunk driving following a vehicle collision in Rancho Cordova, an incident that quickly drew widespread criticism on social media.
According to a statement released by the sheriff’s office, the collision occurred May 12 at about 4:15 p.m. near the intersection of Douglas Road and Sunrise Boulevard. The deputy was driving an unmarked county vehicle at the time of the crash.
Authorities said the deputy was arrested by the Rancho Cordova Police Department on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The sheriff’s office said the deputy was not on duty, was not in uniform and was not working in any official capacity at the time of the collision.
“The deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending a thorough internal and criminal investigation,” the sheriff’s office said in its statement.
The agency also apologized to the public, saying, “We take this matter very seriously and extend our sincere apologies to the community. This conduct does not reflect the values or standards of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.”
The incident sparked criticism across social media platforms, where commenters questioned the conduct of law enforcement personnel and whether the deputy would receive preferential treatment because of his position.
The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office identified suspect as detective Richard Hamilton. Additional details about the collision, including whether anyone was injured, were not immediately released.
The district attorney’s office said it is reviewing the case in coordination with investigators.
