Photo: David Koechner
January 7, 2022 – Ventura County, Ca.
Perhaps the victim of his own New Year’s celebratory excess, the laughs for 59-year-old Simi Valley resident David Koechner—notable as an actor and comedian for his roles on “Saturday Night Live” and for his portrayals of characters “Todd Packer” on the hit television series “The Office” and of “Champ Kind” in the “Anchorman” feature film series—came to a sobering end on the afternoon of December 31, 2021.
It was just after 2:00 p.m. on New Years Even when Ventura County Sheriff’s Department deputies attached to the Simi Valley Police Department responded to reports of a single-vehicle accident on a neighborhood roadway. According to SVPD spokesman Ofcr. Casey Nicholson, “a bystander reported seeing a silver SUV hit the center median before driving off” and leaving the median damaged.
Moments later, deputies observed the described vehicle “traveling on the wrong side of the road,” forcing the black-and-white patrol unit “to swerve around the SUV to avoid a collision.”
An emergency traffic stop was immediately conducted and contact was made with Koechner “who exhibited signs of alcohol intoxication.” A breathalyzer examination was conducted, revealing a blood alcohol content more than 1.5 beyond the legal limit. Koechner was taken into custody at the scene and was transported to Ventura County Jail, where he was booked on charges of driving under the influence and hit-and-run. He was released on bond with his court appearance scheduled for March 30, 2022.
Photo: Courtesy Ventura County Register
