With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Murrieta mayor arrested on DUI charge after 4 teens hurt in crash
Murrieta Mayor Alan Long was arrested and booked Thursday night on suspicion of DUI causing bodily injury after his truck crashed into a passenger vehicle, leaving four local high school students with "moderate to major" injuries, according to police.
(
Murrieta Police Department
)
The mayor of Murrieta was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol Thursday night after he was involved in an accident that left four local teenagers injured, police said.
Alan Long, 44, was booked on suspicion of DUI causing bodily injury. The teens, ranging in age from 14 to 17, were all students at Murrieta Valley High School. They sustained moderate to major injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment, according to a statement from Murrieta police.
The accident occurred around 8 p.m. at the intersection of Jefferson and Lily avenues when the truck Long was driving slammed into the back of a passenger vehicle carrying the four teens, according to police.
Long was the sole occupant of the truck, and officers determined that he showed signs of alcohol impairment, which police said was confirmed by a field sobriety test.
Support for LAist comes from
The accident comes with just weeks to go before Long faces reelection to the Murrieta City Council.
Long also serves as a battalion chief for Anaheim Fire & Rescue, overseeing emergency management and preparedness for the city.
"This is certainly very much out of character for Alan Long," Murrieta Councilman Rick Gibbs told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. "I've been at a number of social events with Alan over the years, ... and I've never seen him take a drink."
According to the Press-Enterprise, Long's account of what happened differed slightly from the police statement:
Gibbs said he talked to Long on Friday morning, and that Long — who works as an Anaheim fire battalion chief — promptly helped the injured teens out of the car and onto a street curb, while help was en route.
Gibbs said he expects Long to be vindicated, because Long told him that a field breathalyzer test indicated a blood-alcohol level below the legal limit.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues. -
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for areas around the Airport Fire burn scar in Orange County mid morning. -
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership announces that 11% of the workforce is being cut. -
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember.
Best of LAist