Merced County sheriff's sergeant arrested on suspicion of DUI

A Merced County sheriff's sergeant was arrested early Sunday on suspicion of driving under the influence after the California Highway Patrol responded to a call about a vehicle crash in Le Grand.

Sgt. James Pacheco, 43, was taken into custody shortly after 12:30 a.m. at his Le Grand residence. The CHP responded to the scene after a witness reported seeing a gray GMC Yukon crash into a parked Merced County sheriff's patrol car. The witness also reported the driver of the Yukon walked into a residence after the crash, according to Officer John Patterson, CHP spokesman.

CHP officers arrived and saw the Yukon parked on the street behind the patrol car, with the Yukon's front bumper touching the rear bumper of the patrol vehicle. The right rear tire of the GMC was on top of the north curb edge of the street, with the other three wheels on the roadway.

There was no visible damage to either vehicle, both of which were parked in front of Pacheco's home, Patterson said.

Officers spoke with Pacheco at his residence and after an investigation determined he was the driver of the GMC and had been operating the vehicle under influence of alcohol.

Pacheco was off duty at the time of the alleged offense.

He was booked at the Merced County Jail on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI and released shortly thereafter. No injuries were sustained in the crash.

Efforts to reach Pacheco by the Sun-Star's deadline were unsuccessful.

Patterson said the incident remains under investigation.

Sheriff's spokesman deputy Tom MacKenzie said Pacheco has been on vacation since Monday and hasn't been placed on administrative leave.

Managing Editor Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.