(KRON) – A Newark man had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit and was driving more than 100 mph when he crashed his car into an SUV and a house in the 5000 block of Lafayette Avenue in Newark on Aug. 31, injuring himself and three others, according to the Newark Police Department.
The suspect, 31-year-old Raul Quintana, was seriously injured in the incident, which occurred at approximately 10:35 p.m. at the intersection of Cedar Boulevard and Lafayette Street. He was arrested on November 5 after recovering extensively in hospital. Quintana was booked into Santa Rita Jail and faces four counts of felony DUI causing injury.
“From the beginning of the investigation, drunk driving was suspected to be a factor in the accident,” the Newark Police Department said. “Three occupants of the SUV were seriously injured, as was a resident who was sitting in the family room of their home. The injured were transported to local hospitals for treatment and are still recovering from their injuries.”
Newark Police Chief Jonathan Arguello described the incident as “completely preventable.”
“One person’s decision to drive under the influence almost cost the lives of several people,” Arguello said. “Drunk driving is never just a personal risk, it puts everyone on the road at risk.”