A drinking and driving incident involving a former San Diego Police Department officer recently turned into a criminal investigation at the request of the prosecutors for the case. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the prosecutors asked Judge Peter Deddeh to order the department to turn over internal-affairs files.

Det. Jeffrey Blackford, an 11-year veteran of the department, crashed his city-owned vehicle into a roadside utility box on December 7. Instead of immediately reporting the accident, Blackford allegedly called two of his friends from the department, Sgt. John Iammarino and Det. Daniel Caropreso, who arrived to the scene shortly after. Several hours later, Iammarino allegedly called two other sergeants, William Brown and Christopher Tivanian, and requested the two of them bring a preliminary alcohol screening device. Despite the fact Blackford allegedly crashed around midnight, he didn't receive the DUI test until several hours later.

According to court records, Blackford had a blood-alcohol level of 0.09 percent, over the legal limit, when he was tested more than three hours after the accident. The City Attorney's Office said prosecutors were told earlier alcohol screenings were conducted but were not reported that showed Blackford's blood-alcohol level at 0.152 and 0.125 percent. According to Fox 5 San Diego, Deputy City Attorney Steven Hansen said he and his coworkers believe each of the officers involved in the case are potential criminal defendants.

Police spokesman Lt. Kevin Mayer told the U-T that the department recently submitted the prosecutors additional cases for criminal review, however, he was unable to provide any additional information regarding the case, as it hasn't been .

"As a result of the Blackford incident, another criminal investigation surfaced and that investigation has been turned over to the City Attorney for prosecutorial review," Mayer said. "Being that it's a case that is under review, it would be inappropriate for us to give out any other information on it."