El Dorado County Sheriff's Office 2017 Annual Report | Page 28

Support Services

Coroners Unit

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Coroner Detectives work under statutory duties of the Coroner which includes investigating the circumstances surrounding all suspicious or unexpected deaths including homicides, suicides, accidental, unattended or unexplained deaths. They are also responsible for establishing the identity of the decedent, notifying the next of kin and safeguarding personal property. Coroner detectives work closely with the Assistant Public Administrator when next of kin cannot be located, with the ultimate goal to bring closure to the family.

The Coroner Unit participates in various programs throughout the county to raise awareness to youth drunk driving and drug use.

They work to identify consumer products

causing fatal injury and prevention of elder

abuse. The Coroner Unit also cooperates with

non-profit organ and tissue donation agencies.

Of the 46 accidental deaths notated above, 23

were due to vehicle deaths; 21 drivers and two

passengers. Of those 21 drivers, only six were

found to have no alcohol, marijuana or illegal

drugs in their systems at the time of death. 17

lives were lost this year in El Dorado County

because of someone's decision to drive while

intoxicated.

Vehicle Abatement

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office operates the

vehicle abatement program to assist our citizen’s

with the removal of abandoned or unsafe

vehicles.

This program adheres to State statute and the

vehicles in question must be in violation of county

ordinance to meet criteria for removal.

When a complaint of an abandoned or unsafe

vehicle is received by the Sheriff’s Office, a Deputy

will determine if the vehicle meets the criteria to

be abated before initiating the process.

If criteria is met, a tag is placed on the vehicle and

a series of required time allowances are given for

the registered owner, if any, to remove the vehicle

without penalty. Any vehicles that remain at the

end of allotted time will be towed at the owners

expense by our contracted tow companies, as

allowable by State law.

113 Public Vehicle Abatements

45 Private Vehicle Abatements

158 Total Abatement Cases

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