| For Immediate Release Case # 10HF0913
|
DRIVER UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND METHAMPHETAMINE TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR
KILLING TWO PASSENGERS AND INJURING TWO
SANTA ANA – A drunken driver will be arraigned today for killing two of his passengers and seriously injuring two other passengers by driving while intoxicated at an excessive speed, failing to stop at a stop sign, and crashing into a cement-brick wall. Jimmy Tuan Phan, 22, Irvine, was charged with two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated, two felony counts of causing great bodily injury, and faces a maximum of 18 years in state prison if convicted. The People will be requesting Phan be held on $250,000 bail at his arraignment this afternoon in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.
At 11:35 p.m. on Aug. 20, 2009, Phan is accused of speeding eastbound on Shady Canyon Drive in his Honda sedan with passengers 18-year-old Daniel Tran, 19-year-old Arlene Tjandrawansa, 18-year-old Yan He, and 16-year-old Christine T. The defendant is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamine in Irvine at a high rate of speed and failing to stop at a stop sign. Phan is accused of losing control of his car, going up onto the center median, and crashing into a cement-brick wall at the entrance to the Shady Canyon community.
Phan is accused of causing the collision that resulted in blunt force injuries to victims Tran, who died at the scene, and Tjandrawansa, who died the following day at Western Medical Center. The defendant is also accused of causing traumatic injuries to the other two victims, including intracranial hemorrhage, fractures to the leg, pelvis, face and spine.
Approximately two hours after the crash, Phan is accused of having a blood alcohol content level of .04 percent and being under the influence of methamphetamine. The Irvine Police Department investigated this case and arrested Phan on May 28, 2010, following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest on May 27, 2010.
Deputy District Attorney Jason Baez of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
###