A Camp Pendleton Marine, charged in the deaths of three fellow Marines, had a blood alcohol level that was twice the legal limit according to officials.
Jared Ray Hale, 25, was seriously injured in the Feb. 14 crash that killed Sgt. Jeremiah Callahan, Cpl. Jason Chleborad and Cpl. Christopher Arzola.
Prosecutors say Hale went to a Dana Point bar with his friends the night of the crash.
Three hours later, Hale was driving at a high rate of speed on Gold Lantern Street when his car crashed into a palm tree officials said.
Two of the victims riding in the backseat were killed instantly. Emergency crews used equipment to get Hale and his front-seat passenger out. The passenger made it to the hospital, but he died there.
Hale was charged Wednesday with three felony counts of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated while he remains in a medical rehabilitation facility for his injuries.
An arraignment date will be determined later.
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