NEW: A Santa Paula man has been charged in relation to a suspected DUI crash that injured his passenger as well as a California Highway Patrol officer, according to Ventura County Superior Court records.

The 34-year-old pleaded not guilty Sept. 29 to one count of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and causing injury and one count of driving with a 0.08% blood alcohol content and causing injury, according to records.

Around 11 p.m. on Aug. 15, the man was driving northbound on Grimes Canyon in unincorporated Ventura County with a passenger in his car.

As the man approached a curve in the road, he allegedly crossed into the southbound lane and collided head-on with a CHP vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.

The officer suffered a head laceration and broken wrist. Please join us in sending prayers and, or positive thoughts for his recovery🙏🏻

Read more: https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/courts/2026/10/02/man-charged-with-suspected-dui-in-crash-that-injured-chp-officer/92054947007