Former Marine Sentenced To Jail In Fatal DUI Crash

SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A 28-year-old former marine sergeant was sentenced to prison on Friday for killing three fellow marines by crashing into a tree while driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, Jared Ray Hale was ordered to spend 11 years in state prison.

Hale was found guilty by a jury on Dec. 10, 2014, for one felony count each of driving under the influence causing body injury, and driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or more causing bodily injury.

He also faced sentencing enhancements and allegations of driving with a blood alcohol content level of over .15 percent, and causing great bodily injury.

According to police, Hale arrived at Hennessey's Tavern in Dana Point with his three friends — Christopher Arzola, 21, of Mass., Jeremiah Callahan, 23, of Neb., and Jason Chleborad, 22, of San Diego — around 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 13, 2012.

Hale drove away from the bar in his Dodge sedan around 1:50 p.m. on Feb. 14, 2012. Arzola, Callahan, and Chleborad traveled as passengers inside the vehicle.

Police went on to explain around 2:00 a.m., Hale lost control of his vehicle as he approached a curve in the road at the intersection of Golden Lantern and Terra Vista.

His vehicle drove over the center median and crashed into a tree on the passenger's side of the car, which spun around the tree and stopped against another tree on the median.

Officials said they pronounced Callahan and Arzola dead at the scene. Chleborad was transported to Mission Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.

Hale was knocked unconscious, and also transported to Mission Hospital, where he was treated for brain trauma and a fractured arm.

During Hale's sentencing, written impact statements from the victim's families were read.

"This will be the third time that I will describe the thoughts, pain, and loss of my best friend and son JC," said Callahan's father. "The anguish that you feel does not compare to the lifelong emptiness that you will begin to experience very soon in your life."

"This situation has drug on for almost three years," added Chleboard's father. "You had the opportunity to stand up and be a man, apologize, and take responsibility for your actions. You chose not to."