SUSANVILLE, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2025) — A jury has convicted a 37-year-old Reno man of driving under the influence in Lassen County, according to the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office.
The panel convicted Somethonit Phoumychack earlier this month of driving under the influence of alcohol, with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher. They also found special allegations that Phoumychack refused to submit to a chemical test and had an elevated blood alcohol content exceeding 0.20 percent.
The case stemmed from a report by a concerned citizen who called 911 after observing Phoumychack at Hallelujah Junction. A California Highway Patrol officer from Quincy responded to the call.
Prosecutors said Phoumychack refused both field sobriety tests and a chemical test, prompting officers to obtain a search warrant. Results later showed his blood alcohol content was 0.25 percent.
In a separate court proceeding on Monday, prosecutors said Phoumychack admitted to having two prior DUI convictions from 2016 and 2018.
Sentencing is in January. Under California law, a third DUI conviction carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 120 days, with a maximum possible sentence of up to one year.
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