Alley Arson: Transient Sues Mechanic Who Set Him On Fire
Hector Manuel Medina is serious about auto care. He's also serious about loitering. On January 2, 2010, Medina set fire to a transient and his belongings when the man refused to leave the alley behind Medina's Santa Ana workplace, Firestone Complete Auto Care. The victim, Ruben Sandoval, has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Medina, reports the OC Register.
Sandoval, a 64-year-old military veteran, suffered third-degree burns on his hands and face and spent six months in the hospital after the attack. His medical expenses to date exceed $1.5 million.
The lawsuit seeks "punitive damages for negligence, intentional tort, negligent infliction of emotional distress and intentional infliction of emotional distress against Hector Manuel Medina, 33, of Santa Ana, and Medina's employer, Firestone Complete Auto Care."
In response to Sandoval's loitering, Medina poured gas on his shopping cart, accidentally splashing some of the flammable liquid onto Sandoval. Once the match was struck, the cart burst into flames, some of which set the victim's beard ablaze. When knocking the victim to the ground proved unhelpful, Medina and another employee doused the burning body in water and dialed 911.
Medina plead guilty to "one felony count of arson causing bodily injury with a sentencing enhancement for arson with an accelerant" in February 2010. He was sentenced to five years in prison and is currently serving his time.
