DUI-Endangerment Epidemic as Drunk Mom Flips Car with Kids Inside
Santa Barbara-
Heather Maassen, 30
Downtown Santa Barbara may be the scene of the occasional “fender-bender” as heavy traffic conditions frequently makes driving safely a bit of a challenge for any motorist. But rarely do drivers commit vehicular errors so egregious that they actually flip their cars on downtown streets.
But in the early evening of June 16th, just such an accident took place, causing Santa Barbara Police Department patrol units to respond immediately to a 911 Emergency call reporting a rollover collision in the heart of the city’s retail and commercial district.
According to SBPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Riley Harwood’s report to the media, responding officers “found a blue Honda Civic resting on its roof” just yards away from a busy State Street intersection. Found inside the vehicle were Heather Maria Maassen, 30, her 11-year old son, and his 9-year old friend. All three occupants complained of pain, and following immediate treatment by paramedics at the scene, were transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for further medical evaluation.
While Maassen was being treated at the hospital, SBPD Officer Christina Ortega conducted a DUI investigation and determined that Maassen had been driving toward the intersection when, without apparent reason, “she veered to the right and struck two parked cars” which forced her car to roll onto its roof. Pursuant to her medical examination at the hospital, it was further determined that Maassen was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the accident.
Maassen was arrested on charges of felony DUI and felony child endangerment, and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail with bail set at $100,000. “This is the third DUI traffic collision in four weeks in Santa Barbara resulting in a felony child endangerment arrest,” Harwood observed in his media statements.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
Read more:
Channel 3: Woman flips car with children inside
Santa Barbara Independent: Woman Charged With DUI, Child Endangerment In Rollover Accident
