Alan Long DUI Accident from Accident Victim's Perspective

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Like myself, a politically involved citizen in Temecula has been paying close attention to what has been transpiring in Murrieta regarding the DUI Injury Accident caused by Murrieta Mayor Alan Long.  In my opinion, Alan is a good person that did something incredibly stupid, and it is even more devastating when you consider he is a first responder, as Mayor Pro-Tem Harry Ramos pointed out, that last July he became the national face of Murrieta when the Immigration Protests were occurring, and that he is in the midst of a highly contested reelection campaign.  We have heard that Long's blood alcohol was below the legal limit, we have heard that the girls should not be on the road because the driver was a minor driving around other minors, and Councilman Rick Gibbs reminded us to remember as far as the law goes, Long is innocent until proven guilty, but in the end that doesn't change the fact that a person in the public spotlight got behind the wheel of a vehicle with a bunch of alcoholic drinks in him, and then caused a vehicular injury accident. The legalities can be all of the above, or none of the above, but what is going to stand out is public opinion, and when someone like Alan Long has the public trust, and then does such a thing, it does not exactly help one's case in the arena of public opinion.

That all said, while we have focused on the accident from Mayor Long's perspective, Temecula's Ernie White suggests that I also reveal the accident from the victim's perspective, using Ashley Ludwig's Daily SoCal article, 'I Dropped Everything and Grabbed My Keys'/ A Mother's Panic, as our guide.

The last thing Murrieta mother Cathy Rogers was expecting was a call that said her daughters had been in an accident.  It didn't matter who had caused it, as a parent, the worst runs through your mind, first.

“I dropped everything and grabbed my keys” stated Rogers, via Facebook, when she received the call from her daughters.  Chloe, 17, and Camille, 14, are her daughters that were both involved in the rear-end injury crash on October 16, 2014, caused by Murrieta Mayor Alan Long, in Murrieta.

"According to posts on Facebook, Rogers had no idea the extent of the injuries or any information about the accident, or the reason behind the crash when she arrived to find her daughters.
Information on the two other crash victims is unverified at this time, though Facebook statements claim one remains hospitalized with a neck injury.

"Rogers’ children (Chloe a Senior at Murrieta Valley High School, and Camille a Sophomore at the same school), are actively involved in both school and community. Chloe is currently serving as Miss Temecula 2014."

Regardless of the political earthquake this event has caused regarding Alan Long's now questionable political career, the reality is that a mother had to answer a phone call that told her that her children were involved in an automobile accident.  Whether it was caused by the mayor, or not, she was worried, frightened, and frantic.  When she found out alcohol was involved, whether the driver of the other vehicle was technically over the legal limit or not, I am sure the news he was driving under the influence infuriated her.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary