Marine to face charges for DUI accident that killed three of his fellow soldiers

Sgt. JC Callahan (right) of Chadron and Cpl. Jason Chleborad of Rapid City, S.D.  They died in a DUI accident

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 12CF1778

Date: December 3, 2014

DRUNKEN-DRIVER MARINE SCHEDULED TO FACE TRIAL FOR KILLING THREE FELLOW MARINES BY CRASHING INTO TREE

WESTMINSTER – A Marine is scheduled to face trial for driving under the influence of alcohol and causing a crash that killed three fellow Marines after crashing into a tree. Jared Ray Hale, 27, is charged with one felony count of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, one felony count of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or more causing bodily injury, with sentencing enhancements and allegations for driving with a blood alcohol level over .15 percent and causing great bodily injury. Opening statements began this morning in Department W-13, West Justice Center, Westminster.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 13, 2012, Hale is accused of arriving at Hennessey’s Tavern in Dana Point with three friends. The defendant and his friends were all Marines stationed at Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton. The friends included Christopher Arzola, 21, Mass., Jeremiah Callahan, 23, Neb., and Jason Chleborad, 22, S.D.

At approximately 1:50 a.m. on Feb. 14, 2012, the defendant is accused of driving away from the bar in his Dodge sedan with his three friends as passengers.

At approximately 2:00 a.m. Hale is accused of driving northbound on Golden Lantern in Dana Point. As he approached a curve in the road at the intersection at Terra Vista, the defendant is accused of losing control of his vehicle, running over the landscaped center median, and crashing into a tree on the passenger’s side of the car. The car spun around the tree and came to rest against the tree on the median.

Victims Callahan and Arzola were pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple blunt force injuries. Victim Chleborad was transported to Mission Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 a.m. due to multiple blunt force injuries.

Hale was knocked unconscious in the crash and was transported to Mission Hospital, where he was treated for brain trauma and a fractured arm. Approximately an hour and a half after the crash, the defendant is accused of having a blood alcohol level of .16 percent.

Deputy District Attorney Stephen Cornwell of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

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TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718