Deputy who survived fatal crash is arrested for alleged drunken fight
| Monday, Apr 20 2009 04:48 PM
Last Updated Monday, Apr 20 2009 04:48 PM
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The Bakersfield Californian
A Kern County deputy who was involved in a 2008 wreck that killed another deputy was arrested Sunday after apparently having a drunken argument with his girlfriend, according to police.
Police said Doug Swanson, 31, kicked open the door to his girlfriend's home in the 6700 block of Auburn Street around 2:45 a.m.
Police responded and arrested him for public intoxication and vandalism, according to Sgt. Greg Terry.
On May 23, Swanson broadsided Deputy James Throne at Blackburn Street and Weedpatch Highway north of Lamont. Throne had pulled out in front of Swanson, who was racing to the area in a patrol car.
Throne, 29, died in the crash. Swanson suffered a broken arm, leg and pelvis, plus a cracked vertebra.
Throne was at fault for the accident because he pulled out in front of Swanson, according to a California Highway Patrol accident report.
Swanson returned to duty in November. Sheriff Donny Youngblood said sheriff's officials will conduct an administrative review of the incident to determine if any discipline is warranted.
Swanson will either be given administrative duties or be off with pay pending the investigation. Swanson was not on duty at the time of the incident, Youngblood said.
Youngblood said he hasn't seen the police reports yet, but couldn't comment on them if he had.
Swanson declined to comment.
