SANTA ANA – Police arrested a man suspected in hitting a pedestrian in a crosswalk last week, eventually determining him to be under the influence.
Dallas Frank Reichstein III, 45, of Santa Ana, will face potential murder charges due to a previous DUI conviction, according to court records. He is due in court on Friday to face charges on second degree murder and felony hit and run.
A female pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, having been struck by Reichstein’s red 2002 Nissan Xterra just outside the crosswalk in the 1100 block of West MacArthur Blvd. at 10:10 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, Santa Ana police reported.
Reichstein, according to witness reports to police, clipped the pedestrian, Pearleen Hopkins, 59, then kept driving without stopping to check on her. Police said Hopkins had attempted to cross the street outside of the crosswalk. He had been driving his vehicle westbound, said police.
Police tracked down Reichstein moments after the collision in a nearby residential area. According to reports, he “displayed symptoms consistent with driving under the influence of alcohol.”
One patrolman who heard the crash was able to track down Reichstein, who has a list of prior convictions on his record, including those involving drugs and alcohol.
In 2011, Reichstein was convicted of misdemeanor DUI and, in 2000 and 2005, was convicted for being under the influence of controlled substances. He pleaded guilty to an attempt to possess a controlled substance in 2000 and unlawful possession of a controlled substance in 2002, both felonies.
Court records also revealed a first degree burglary conviction last February, drawing a three-year probation.
Read More:
OCWEEKLY: Man could face DUI murder count
ABC7: Santa Ana man arrested in fatal crash
