Man Found Guilty of Driving Under the Influence and Injuring Another

From Fortuna Police

Image originally from the Fortuna Police

Press release from the District Attorney’s Office:

After a six-day jury trial before Judge John Feeney, jurors convicted Dylan Koski Collins, 44 of Morro Bay, of driving under the influence causing injury and leaving the scene of an accident, both felony violations of the California Vehicle Code. The jury also found that Collins refused to submit to a chemical test to determine the alcohol content of his blood following his arrest, as set forth in a special allegation. Finally, Collins was found guilty of driving while his license was suspended due to his failure to submit to a chemical test less than a year ago during a prior DUI investigation.

The case against Collins arose from a two-car crash on US 101 just south of Kane Road near Trinidad on May 28, 2016. Collins caused the accident by crossing over into oncoming traffic and colliding with a tractor-trailer. The impact was enough to push the tractor-trailer onto its side and left its driver with injuries to his face, back, and shoulder. Collins left the scene following the collision; California Highway Patrol officers determined that Collins was still under the influence of alcohol when he returned to the scene two hours later.

On the day the trial was set to begin in this felony matter, Collins pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence on July 31, 2015. Collins also pled guilty to resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer based on the fact that during the course of the July 2015 incident Collins attempted to run from investigating officers. In that misdemeanor case Collins also admitted to refusing to submit to a chemical test and to suffering a prior conviction for driving under the influence out of San Luis Obispo County.

Both matters have been referred to the Humboldt County Probation Department for pre-sentencing reports. Sentencing is scheduled for September 28, 2016. He is facing a potential maximum sentence of 3 years and 8 months.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney (D.A.) Brent Kling with assistance from D.A. Chief Investigator Wayne Cox, D.A. Investigators Adam Jager and Martin Perrone, and D.A. Information Systems Analyst Tom Pinto. Collins was represented by Deputy Public Defender Kaleb Cockrum of the Humboldt County Conflict Counsel’s Office.

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11 Comments
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veterans friend
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veterans friend
7 years ago

How wasteful to have a jury trial of 6 days. I hope court costs are added to his punishment.

Liz
Guest
Liz
7 years ago

It would have been nice if he plead guilty. Being an alcoholic he choose to live in denial.

Saucy
Guest
Saucy
7 years ago

3 years and 8 months for causing ‘injury’. Really want to know the huge list of charges the mom who ran over her daughter and her friend in fortuna is looking at if they ever find her. I think a lot of people really want an update on that story.

John
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John
7 years ago

Apparently it’s OK to kill your kids and and their friends in Humboldt County

FFS
Guest
FFS
7 years ago

Well on that note, apparently workers at a local bar have been serving her and her boyfriend, so they aren’t in hiding.

J
Guest
J
7 years ago
Reply to  FFS

They should call the caps if a wanted drunk driver killer is drinking in the bar. Very unethical of those serving her. The sheriff’s have publicly announced they want to talk to her.

regards
Guest
regards
7 years ago
Reply to  J

NO. NNOOOO. NEVER call the CAPS.

regards
Guest
regards
7 years ago
Saucy
Guest
Saucy
7 years ago
Reply to  regards

Thanks for update. I still cannot comprehend how they don’t have enough evidence or what not to issue a warrant for her arrest yet. I mean really? how long are they gonna let her walk free for? They gonna let her skate for another year or so until she saves up enough money to split the country and live comfortably? I just don’t get WTF is taking so long to arrest her, they found the murder weapon (the jeep) stashed in her back yard. I’m pretty sure if this happened in any other county she would be sitting in a jail cell right now, not getting her buzz on at local bars as someone claims in a comment above.

Loves Humboldt
Guest
Loves Humboldt
7 years ago
Reply to  Saucy

Good connections, “Legal Representation”. Joshua Pearlstons father is local attorney Mel Pearlston! Other wise they would both be in jail with out bail like the rest of us.