Vehicle crash may be linked to drug use

A visitor staying in Malibu plowed her 2000 Range Rover into a utility pole along Kanan Road just south of Castle View Drive around 5 p.m. on Monday.

The driver, Debra Racine, 30, of British Columbia, Canada was arrested by California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers for suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of narcotics. CHP officer Ray Abramian said drugs and smoking paraphernalia were found in the vehicle.

Racine, driving alone, was injured. Paramedics took her by ambulance to Los Robles Regional Medical Center where she was treated for lacerations and air bag burns. Afterward, she was taken into custody by CHP and booked downtown. The utility pole blocked the southbound lanes, forcing the CHP to divert cars into the northbound lanes.

Southern California Edison workers responded after a few hours and worked late into the night righting the utility pole.

––Gregory Koteles