72-Year-Old Man Pleads Not Guilty to DUI Charges After Driving Into Crowd at Bakersfield Christmas Parade

Alan Lewis Booth, a 72-year-old man, has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor DUI charges in Bakersfield, California, after allegedly driving his truck into a crowd just minutes before the city's Christmas Parade on December 7th. Booth was arrested on Wednesday night in the 2000 block of Oak Street on suspicion of driving under the influence.

This is not the first time Booth has encountered charges related to the parade incident. In January, he had previously pleaded not guilty to felony charges stemming from the December 7th event, where his pickup truck crashed into three people. The eldest victim suffered severe injuries, including leg fractures, a skull fracture, and a brain bleed. Booth's blood-alcohol content was measured at 0.25% and 0.28% after the parade incident, more than three times the legal limit.

On Wednesday, Booth was apprehended again at a Ford dealership and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a blood alcohol level over 0.08%, and driving with a suspended license. Due to the new charges, the judge ordered Booth to be held without bail.

Why this matters: The incident at the Bakersfield Christmas Parade raises serious concerns about public safety at community events and the consequences of drunk driving. Repeat DUI offenses by individuals like Booth highlight the need for stronger measures to prevent such dangerous behavior and protect innocent bystanders from harm.

Booth's defense mentions recent hospitalization and unintentional license suspension as complicating factors in the case. They have proposed monitoring to prevent further incidents. Victims of DUI-related accidents or their families are advised to seek legal guidance, with firms like the RTM Law Firm specializing in helping those affected by such incidents. As the legal proceedings continue, the community awaits the outcome and hopes for justice to be served. "This was a tragic event that has deeply impacted our community," said Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Terry. "We will continue to thoroughly investigate and work with prosecutors to hold those responsible accountable."

Key Takeaways

• 72-year-old Alan Lewis Booth pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor DUI charges.
• Booth previously pleaded not guilty to felony charges for crashing into 3 people.
• Booth's blood-alcohol content was over 3 times the legal limit after the parade incident.
• Booth was arrested again for DUI, driving with a suspended license, and exceeding 0.08% BAC.
• The incident raises concerns about public safety and the need for stronger measures against drunk driving.