Car’s Fluids Key to O.C. Hit-Run, DUI Arrest
An alleged drunk driver who authorities say fled an accident that left two people dead was arrested Thursday, Irvine police said, after investigators followed a trail of oil and other engine fluids to find his heavily damaged BMW.
Brandon Friend, 19, of Fullerton, was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, felony manslaughter and hit and run.
Friend allegedly rear-ended an MGB sports car driven by George Macchiorola Jr., 52, of Aliso Viejo, at 11:28 p.m. Wednesday. Both cars were headed south on West Yale Loop, near Alton Parkway, said Police Lt. Jeff Love.
The collision sent the MGB crashing into a tree. Macchiorola and his passenger, Debbie D. Scannell, 42, of Irvine, were taken by ambulance to a hospital, where they died, police said.
Officers followed the engine fluids and found the BMW parked on an Irvine street. Police also learned that a cab had picked a man up near the car, Love said.
The high-performance BMW was registered to Friend’s grandfather, Michael Lumary, 63, of Diamond Bar, police said.
Lumary, who allegedly provided false information about Friend, was later arrested on suspicion of obstructing a police officer.
Friend was arrested at the La Quinta Inn Irvine Spectrum, police said.
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