Shasta County Attorney Convicted in DUI Scooter Crash That Severely Injured Elderly Pedestrian
- Elisa Ballard
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Redding, California – February 23, 2026
A Shasta County jury has convicted local criminal defense attorney Lisa Marie Jensen of two felony charges stemming from a November 2023 incident in which she struck and seriously injured an elderly pedestrian while operating an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol. The verdict, delivered on February 18, 2026, marks a dramatic turn for Jensen, whose legal practice has long focused on defending clients facing similar DUI and felony accusations.
The incident occurred on the evening of November 17, 2023, on Placer Street in Redding. According to police reports and trial testimony, Jensen was riding an electric scooter downhill at high speed on a sidewalk—where such operation is prohibited—when she collided with a senior citizen who was out for a walk. The victim, who was on blood thinners at the time, was knocked unconscious and suffered severe injuries, including a broken collarbone and an ankle laceration requiring stitches. He nearly "bled out" at the scene and was rushed to Mercy Medical Center for treatment. More than two years later, the victim reports he is still unable to walk without assistance.
Emergency responders administered a DUI blood test to Jensen at the scene, confirming she was under the influence. Under California law, electric scooters are classified as vehicles, subjecting operators to the same DUI statutes as motorists. Jensen entered a not guilty plea at her arraignment in December 2024, and her defense argued during the trial that external factors, such as poor lighting or the victim's positioning, contributed to the accident. Prosecutors, however, emphasized the toxicology results and the severity of the injuries to secure the convictions.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 20, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in Department 41 of the Shasta County Superior Court. Jensen faces potential prison time, fines, and probation, exacerbated by the great bodily injury enhancement. As a licensed attorney, she could also face disciplinary action from the California State Bar, including possible suspension or disbarment, especially given reports of at least one prior DUI conviction that was reduced to reckless driving. The State Bar has already noted the pending felony case on her public profile.
The case has drawn local attention due to Jensen's prominence in Shasta County's legal and activist circles, highlighting the irony of a DUI specialist facing such charges. Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie A. Bridgett, whom Jensen publicly supported in past elections, personally oversaw the prosecution.
Sources:
Facebook Post of Shasta Community Information
KRCR TV report (December 2024 arraignment)
