A 54-year-old man has been charged with a drunk driving collision in Laguna Niguel that has left the victim fighting for his life in a hospital.
James Daniel Forsyth pleaded not guilty Monday to driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit of .08, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs while causing injury, all felonies, and a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance.
He also denied sentencing enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury and leaving a victim comatose or paralyzed.
According to the criminal complaint, Forsyth’s blood-alcohol level was .10.
Forsyth allegedly had oxycodone and alprazolam on him when he was arrested. He is accused of being under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
The victim was struck by the vehicle Forsyth was driving about 3 p.m. Wednesday at Alicia Parkway and Niguel Road in Laguna Niguel, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Sgt. Joses Walehwa.
The victim was taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo where he remains in critical condition, Walehwa said.
Forsyth, who was being held on $1 million bail, is next due in court July 30 for a pretrial hearing in the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.
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