Deputy pleads no contest to DUI, hit and run

LOS ANGELES - A Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy who allegedly injured another motorist while driving drunk pleaded no contest Wednesday to D.U.I. and other charges stemming from an injury crash in South Los Angeles early this year.Deputy District Attorney Amy Pellman Pentz of the Justice System Integrity Division said Michael Anthony Grundy, 46, pleaded to one count each of D.U.I. with a blood alcohol level over 0.08 percent causing injury and leaving the scene of an accident. Both are felony counts. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge George Lomeli took the defendant's plea. Under the terms of a negotiated settlement, Grundy - a second-time D.U.I. offender - is expected to spend six months in a live-in alcohol treatment facility and, thereafter, submit to supervision by a remote alcohol monitoring device for six months. Additionally, Grundy will be required to make full restitution to the victim in the amount of $25,816.40. The defendant's next court hearing is on Jan. 12, 2012, in Department 123 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. At that time, Grundy must present proof of enrollment in an alcohol treatment program, the prosecutor said. If Grundy complies with all of the settlement terms and he is not arrested for any new crimes, the defendant will be sentenced to a misdemeanor as to both counts. If he does not successfully fulfill all requirements stipulated by the plea agreement, Grundy will be sentenced to a felony. Grundy collided with another driver on Jan. 29 shortly after midnight at the intersection of Normandie Avenue and Imperial Highway in South Los Angeles. The defendant fled but was later discovered by two sheriff's deputies who took him back to the crash site where he was arrested by an officer of the California Highway Patrol. Grundy has a 2005 conviction for drunken driving out of Riverside County, according to court records. The injured motorist was treated at a hospital and released.

********** Published: October 27, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 28