Justice on Hold: DUI Victim Left Disabled While County Official Awaits Slap on the Wrist

“Does an Innocent Person Have to Die Before the Plea Beggar Is Sentenced to a Felony?”

Those are the profound words of victim Megan Postma, 35, of Grants Pass, Oregon.

Assistant Del Norte County Chief Administrative Officer Randolph Hooper was operating his vehicle last April when he was arrested by the CHP after registering a blood alcohol level of 0.189 (0.08 is considered the legal limit for DUI). He was also accused of leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death, though that charge was not prosecuted.

Hooper entered no contest pleas to one count of Driving Under the Influence and one count of DUI causing injury. Yet to be determined is whether both pleas will be classified as misdemeanors or felonies.

The incident occurred on April 19, 2025, around 10 p.m., after Hooper left the Elk Valley Casino. Casino staff attempted to prevent him from driving, recognizing he appeared intoxicated. Despite their efforts, Hooper refused to take a taxi and drove away. He then sped down Elk Valley Road and ultimately collided with Postma’s vehicle at Highway 101 and Sand Mine Road, severely injuring her (see attached photo).

Postma told Eye on Del Norte, “Does an innocent person in California have to die before the plea beggar is charged with a felony?” (See related opinion piece in Patriot Upgrade.)

According to her doctors, Postma has suffered injuries that may be permanently disabling due to nerve damage.

Hooper is scheduled for formal sentencing on November 13 at 1:30 p.m. in Del Norte Superior Court.

He has already begun the First-Time Offender Program, though he may be ineligible due to the severity of the injuries inflicted on Postma.

Because of a conflict of interest, Del Norte County Probation will not handle the case. Trinity County Probation is evaluating the evidence and will present its report to the court in November.

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Full story available at: https://www.eyeondelnorte.com/patriot-exclusive-the-dui-aftermath/