Two men arrested for DWI after striking police cars
Fairfax County police arrested two drivers after two vehicles struck police cruisers during a traffic stop on I-495 in Annandale.
On Jan. 23, at approximately 4 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on the beltway approaching Little River Turnpike for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The vehicle was operated by Marlon Somoza Quinonez, 23, of Manassas.
While officers were conducting field sobriety tests, a second vehicle, driven by Edwin Guzman Aguilar, 21, of Bealeton, Va., struck two marked Fairfax County Police cruisers that were stopped on the shoulder. No injuries were reported.
Both Somoza Quinonez and Guzman Aguilar were arrested and transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. Guzman Aguilar was charged with Driving While Intoxicated Second Offense Within Five Years and was later released on a $2,500 bond.
Somoza Quinonez was charged with Driving While Intoxicated Second Offense Within Five Years and Driving After Forfeiture of License. He was later released on a $15,000 bond.
According to the FCPD, DWI enforcement is a year-round priority “aimed at preventing crashes, protecting officers working roadside stops, and keeping everyone traveling through Fairfax County safe.”
The Police Department reminds drivers about Virginia’s Move Over law, aimed at protecting emergency vehicles on the roadside. Drivers approaching first responders, tow trucks, disabled vehicles, and any stationary vehicle with flashing blue, red, amber, or white lights, or activated hazard lights are required to move to a lane not adjacent to the stopped vehicle if it is safe to do so. If it is not safe to change lanes, drivers are required to slow down.
A violation of the Move Over law is punishable as a traffic infraction. If the violation results in property damage, a court can order the suspension of the driver’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for up to one year. If the violation results in injury or death, the driver’s license can be suspended for up to two years.
Sounds like drunk drivers are magnetized to the police lights, what are the chances?
Is this a coincidence or sour grapes?
Those haircuts are a crime.
Thanks to our police officers who risk their lives for everyone all the time. How many of the rest of us do it even once?
How did the one who hit the cruiser get a lower bond than the one who didn’t ? Is this real ?
Good question. My guess is that because the man who didn’t hit the car was driving on a forfeited license, he committed a greater violation of the law (a condition of his previous sentence) whereas Tipsy Kneivel violated a safety law and caused physical damage to property, but no bodily harm.
But that is merely my guess. I invite someone with actual legal knowledge to join the discussion!