BREAKING NEWS: Humboldt Council member charged with OWI
Humboldt Ward 1 City Council member Matt Dominick has been charged with operating while intoxicated following a traffic accident on the city's southwest side Thursday night. Dominick, 40, was elected to the seat in August and was elected to a four-year term earlier this month.
By KENT THOMPSON
A Humboldt City Council member has been arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated following a motor vehicle accident on the city’s southwest side.
According to a report issued by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Matthew J. Dominick, 40, of Humboldt, was traveling south on 13th Street Southwest and was attempting to make a left turn in an easterly direction onto 10th Avenue SW, when he lost control of the 2020 Chevy Traverse he was driving. The vehicle struck a properly parked 2009 Ford Fusion SE belonging to Craig Orness of Humboldt. As a result of the collision, Dominick’s vehicle overturned and came to rest on its top. The accident occurred on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7:51 p.m.
Dominick suffered minor, non-incapacitating injuries in the accident, but was not transported.
During the preliminary investigation by the Humboldt Police Department, it was determined that Dominick had been consuming alcohol. The Humboldt Police Department then contacted the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office for further processing of the scene.
Dominick was tested for alcohol and the HCSO subsequently arrested him and charged him with operating while intoxicated first offense, a serious misdemeanor. He was also charged with failure to maintain control, a simple misdemeanor. Dominick was placed in the Humboldt County Jail to await an appearance before the Humboldt County magistrate.
The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse LS Dominick was driving, property of Altria Group Distribution of Humboldt, sustained an estimated $20,000 disabling damage.
There was an estimated $5,000 in functional damage to the rear driver’s side of the parked 2009 Ford Fusion belonging to Orness.
Dominick was elected to a four-year term on the Humboldt City Council representing Ward 1, two weeks ago. Dominick won a special election in August to fill out the final 4.5 months of a term vacated by former Councilman Jim Vermeer and filled on an interim basis by Jim Myers.
The charge against Dominick is an allegation. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
