LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A man who was pulled from a burning pickup by a California Highway Patrol officer earlier this year is facing prosecution for the crash as well as a robbery in which he was alleged to have participated last week.
Dow Edwin Walton, 54, is set for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 3 on the crash case and currently remains in jail for the robbery case, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.
On Jan. 27 Walton is alleged to have been driving under the influence when his pickup when off Highway 29 and into a creekbed north of Hofacker Lane, as Lake County News has reported.
Two other people were with him in the pickup – Andy Hopper and Regina Walton – with Hopper getting out on his own, according to the original report.
CHP Officer Adam Garcia arrived as the pickup's engine compartment ignited, and managed to pull both Dow Walton and Regina Walton to safety.
For his actions, Garcia has since received several awards and commendations, most recently the California State Firefighters’ Association Award of Valor on Oct. 5, as Lake County News has reported.
All three of the pickup's occupants were injured, with Dow Walton arrested after the crash on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the original CHP report.
Hinchcliff said Walton is charged with driving under the influence causing bodily injury.
Walton also is facing prosecution for his alleged participation in a robbery in Lower Lake last week, Hinchcliff said.
On the morning of Thursday, Oct. 10, Walton and his codefendant, 37-year-old Lance Leland Scarborough, are alleged to have gone to a Lower Lake home where they attempted to steal marijuana from the backyard, according to Hinchcliff.
Walton and Scarborough allegedly were in the backyard cutting the plants to take them when the owner of the plants confronted them, Hinchcliff said.
Scarborough allegedly pulled out a revolver and pointed it at the victim before he and Walton ran from the scene, said Hinchcliff.
Walton was arrested a short time later, according to his booking records. His bail is set at $100,000.
His booking sheet lists him as an employee at the Lake County Mental Health Department, which recently changed its name to Behavioral Health.
However, officials said Walton’s employment with the county ended in April 2012.
Hinchcliff said Walton is charged with robbery and grand theft in the case.
Scarborough was arrested last Saturday night after an alert Clearlake Police officer recognized him despite the fact that Scarborough was wearing a wig to conceal his identity, according to Clearlake Police.
Scarborough, who is on formal probation, also was found to be in possession of ammunition and a ballistic vest similar to ones worn by law enforcement officers, which he's prohibited from possessing due to a previous felony conviction, police said.
Scarborough was arraigned on Wednesday afternoon, Hinchcliff said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated and corrected to reflect that Walton is a former employee of the county of Lake.
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