The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A man who has been accused of driving while under the influence of alcohol allegedly caused an accident on Sunday and was reportedly seen walking back to his burning vehicle to light a cigarette off of the flames.
The alleged driver of the car, 25-year-old Robert Quigley, was traveling on Interstate 80 with a woman in the passenger seat when his vehicle, which is suspected of traveling at a speed of nearly 80 mph, crashed into the back of an SUV that was at a standstill in traffic. Following the collision, Quigley’s car ignited from what was suspected as a possible breach in the fuel line.
A nearby Citrus Heights Police officer reported that he noticed the accident when Quigley’s car caught fire, and when he headed toward the scene to assist he believed that Quigley changed seats with his passenger so that it would appear as if she was the driver.
Quigley and the woman who was in the car with him left the vehicle, but someone who observed the incident said they saw Quigley go back over to the burning car and use the flames to light a cigarette. When he was questioned about the action Quigley was reported as stating, “Yeah I’m not afraid of fire. I deal with this kind of stuff all the time.” He additionally allegedly told the authorities that he was the one operating the vehicle at the time of the crash and not the female.
Officers took Quigley to the Sacramento Main Jail where he was booked and charged on suspicion of driving under the influence.
No one other than Quigley, who was burned on his neck by the seatbelt in his car, was reported as having sustained injuries in the wreck.
If you or someone you love is suspected of DUI, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.