Riverside Police Chief To Face DUI Charges

Misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs were filed today against the former Riverside police chief.

Russell Scott Leach, 62, was allegedly drinking at a Colton topless bar on Super Bowl Sunday before he crashed his city-owned car and drove three miles on the rims.

He cited unspecified medical reasons in announcing his retirement on Feb. 11 — the same day the city of Riverside made public the initial report on the Feb. 8 crash.

The CHP investigation revealed that Leach had taken several prescription medications and consumed about four alcoholic beverages at his home on Feb. 7. All the medications have strict warnings against the consumption of alcoholic beverages and the operation of a motor vehicle.

CHP investigators also determined that Leach had driven to a club in San Bernardino County the evening of Feb. 7 where he consumed at least seven alcoholic beverages that night and into the early morning hours of the next day.

An employee of the club told officers that she was so concerned about Leach driving that she offered to get him a taxi, but he declined.

Leach is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 Monday afternoon.