A lieutenant with the UCSB Police Department was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after allegedly leaving the scene of a collision in the Santa Ynez Valley.
At approximately 7 p.m. Aug. 7, a caller reported to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office that a hit and run had occurred on Highway 246 at 4th Place in Solvang, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Michael Griffith.
A 2016 Honda Odyssey driven by Rana Sibani, 54, of La Mesa had slowed to a stop to pull into a parking space, Griffith said.
UCSB Police Lt. Bradley Prows, 60, of Buellton was following the westbound Honda in his 2017 Ford F-350 truck when he attempted to pass the other vehicle.
As a result, the right side of Prows’ truck struck the Honda’s left side on the Honda, Griffith said, but Prows continued driving west on Highway 246 with Sibani following and attempting to flag him down.
After approximately a mile, Prows pulled to the right shoulder and stopped.
The incident was reported to Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies who arrived and later requested CHP officers respond to investigate the incident, although it occurred in Solvang city limits.
Sheriff’s deputies serve as the police force in Solvang.
Prows was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, according to the CHP.
However, he reportedly also may face a second DUI charge plus a charge of hit and run causing property damage.
At the time of the crash, Prows had a passenger in the truck, and Sibani had two passengers in her vehicle. No one was injured in the crash, the CHP said.
Prows currently works for UCSB as the lieutenant for the services division, including the detective bureau and the community outreach team,
Prows retired in 2012 from the CHP after more than 29 years and achieving the rank of sergeant.
He began working for the UCSB Police Department as an officer in 2013 before being promoted to sergeant and then lieutenant.
In 2015, Prows was among the recipients of the H. Thomas Guerry Awards for Valor in response to the Isla Vista mass murders in May 2014.
“UCPD received information regarding an off-duty incident involving one of our employees, and is fully cooperating with the California Highway Patrol, which is conducting the traffic and criminal investigation in this case,” a UCSB Public Affairs representative said.
“Following standard procedures, this employee is currently on administrative leave pending the investigation,” the statement added.
Prows was issued a citation and released, which Griffith said is very common due to the distance from the Santa Ynez Valley to any of the jail facilities and staffing issues.
CHP officers will forward the report to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office for review and a decision on what charges, if any, Prows will face.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.