Case # 18WF1170
Date: July 12, 2018
DRUNKEN DRIVER CONVICTED OF ASSAULTING TWO FOUNTAIN VALLEY POLICE OFFICERS AFTER SPEEDING THROUGH ROADBLOCK AND DRIVING TOWARD OFFICERS WITH HIS CAR
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A drunken driver was convicted yesterday of assaulting two Fountain Valley police officers after speeding through a roadblock and driving toward officers with his car.
| Defendant | Charges | Sentence |
| Matthew Snoyman, 35, Westminster | Pleaded guilty on July 11, 2018, to the following counts:
Felony
Misdemeanor
|
|
Circumstances of the Case
- During the late evening on Oct. 13, 2017, a fatal traffic collision occurred at the intersection of Magnolia Street and Mint Avenue in the city of Fountain Valley (Case # 18WF1476).
- Fountain Valley Police Department (FVPD) officers responded to the scene and blocked off the area with illuminated alert boards, traffic cones, police tape, and multiple road closure signs.
- At approximately 5:15 a.m. on Oct. 14, 2017, Snoyman drove southbound on Magnolia while under the influence of alcohol.
- The defendant sped in excess of 60 miles per hour through the roadblock toward the scene of the fatal traffic collision and nearly struck two FVPD vehicles.
- Snoyman made an abrupt U-turn and accelerated toward two FVPD officers who were standing in the street inside the roadblock area.
- The defendant drove in the direction of both officers with his vehicle, which led to an officer-involved shooting. Snoyman continued to speed northbound on Magnolia through police tape and traffic cones.
- FVPD officers arrested the defendant near the scene.
- At the time of the crime, Snoyman had a BAC of .23 percent.
Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Paul Chrisopoulos, Special Prosecutions Unit