Jonathan Deinhard
VENTURA COUNTY — Underscoring once again the unintended and tragic consequences that often attend a decision to operate a vehicle after a couple of drinks, 21-year-old Camarillo resident Jonathan Deinhard was arrested early in the evening of September 5th following his inability to control the motorcycle he was riding.
Once Deinhard — who was later determined to have been driving the motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol — hit the pavement and, according to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. B. Payton, was “separated from the motorcycle” in the middle of a busy Thousand Oaks thoroughfare, the motorcycle continued sliding across the boulevard, slammed into the curb, and found its way onto the sidewalk where 74-year-old Ellen Tyree was walking her dog.
Deinhard’s motorcycle impacted Tyree and her dog with such force that upon arrival of emergency medical personnel, the dog was pronounced dead at the scene.
For her part, Tyree was severely injured by the impact of the unmanned ballistic motorcycle, and was transported directly to Los Robles Hospital where she “remains in critical condition in the hospital intensive care unit.”
As is often the case in DUI accidents, Deinhard sustained only minor injuries and was released from medical treatment that evening, whereupon he was met by VCSD deputies and taken into custody.
He was arrested and transported to Ventura County Jail for booking on a charge of felony DUI with injuries. According to Payton, the Thousand Oaks Police Department Traffic Bureau is seeking contact with any witnesses to the accident, urging them to call (805) 494-8271.
Photo: courtesy Thousand Oaks Police Department
