| For Immediate Release Case # 08HF1670
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Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING TO MURDER SIX BY RUNNING THEM OVER WITH CAR NEAR NEWPORT BEACH
PIER OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND
NEWPORT BEACH – A man under the influence of alcohol was charged today with attempting to murder six people by running them over outside of a bar near the Newport Beach Pier over Labor Day weekend. Bryan Adam Curiel, 23, Pasadena, is charged with six felony counts of attempted murder, six felony counts of aggravated assault, one felony count of hit and run with injury, one felony count of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, one felony count driving with a blood alcohol .08 percent or more causing bodily injury, and a sentencing enhancement for great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Curiel is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled for continued arraignment on Sep. 19, 2008, at 8:30 a.m. in Department H-2, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach.
On the night of Aug. 31, 2008, Curiel and a friend were drinking at a Newport Beach bar near the Newport Beach Pier. After leaving the bar, Curiel and his friend are accused of going to a nearby donut shop and attempting to hit on three women inside. The three women indicated that they were not interested and left the shop. Curiel is accused of following them outside with his friend and continuing to make comments and trying to speak with the women, who repeatedly asked him to leave them alone. While outside, the three women were joined by three additional friends, two men and another woman. The defendant is accused of swearing at the group before leaving with his friend.
Approximately 10 minutes later while he was intoxicated, Curiel is accused of speeding between 50 and 65 mph through the parking lot near the pier and deliberately trying to run over the six victims with his sedan. The six victims attempted to jump out of the way as Curiel sped toward them, but victim Bonuk Y. was unable to move in time and was struck in the foot. Curiel is accused of driving his car over the sidewalk into a pedestrian walk space and crashing into several concrete benches. The benches, which were bolted to the ground, were pushed several feet as a result of the impact.
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