| For Immediate Release Case # 08ZF0041
January 8, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
PROFESSIONAL FIGHTER PLEADS GUILTY TO FLEEING AFTER CRASHING INTO SEVERAL CARS AND LEADING POLICE ON COSTA MESA CHASE
SANTA ANA – A former champion and professional fighter with the Ultimate Fighting Championship was convicted today of driving recklessly in Costa Mesa and evading police. Quinton Ramone Jackson, 30, Irvine, also known as Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, pleaded guilty to one felony count of evading a peace officer and driving against traffic and one misdemeanor count of driving recklessly. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 7, 2010.
On July 15, 2008, Jackson drove southbound on State Route 55 (SR-55) in Costa Mesa in his lifted 2008 Ford truck. As traffic slowed at the intersection of SR-55 and 19th Street, Jackson drove up onto the curb and sideswiped two vehicles, causing damage to both. He failed to stop after hitting the two cars and fled the scene by continuing to drive southbound on Newport Boulevard.
Two intersections south of the crash, a Costa Mesa police officer saw the defendant driving on Newport Boulevard on a flat, left front tire. Jackson was aggressively weaving through traffic and talking on a cell phone. When the officer pulled behind the defendant’s truck and turned on his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop, Jackson accelerated and continued to flee. After the officer turned on his siren, Jackson continued to weave through traffic, cutting off and colliding with a Toyota Camry. He failed to stop after crashing into the Toyota and dove over the center median, driving the wrong way into oncoming traffic. Jackson drove up the curb on the wrong side of the road, narrowly missing a bus stop and forcing several pedestrians at the bus stop to run out of the way to avoid being hit.
Jackson drove back onto the correct side of the road and wove in and out of traffic as officers followed in marked patrol vehicles with lights and sirens. The defendant continued to talk on his cell phone and ran multiple red lights while driving on three tires and only the rim of his left front wheel. At two separate intersections, Jackson almost hit a pedestrian and two bicyclists while running red lights. The defendant was eventually taken into custody on Balboa Boulevard in Newport Beach.
Toxicology reports showed that Jackson was not under the influence of any controlled substances at the time of the incident. Multiple independent medical professionals examined Jackson and determined that he had suffered from delirium while driving.
Based on the negotiated plea agreement, the defendant could receive up to six months in jail and probation at his sentencing. Prior to sentencing, Jackson is required to complete 200 hours of community service, attend mental health therapy, pay restitution, and comply with other terms and conditions.
Deputy District Attorney Keith Bogardus of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.