Westminster city councilman hit another car before crashing into pole
The day after Westminster City Councilman Andy Quach was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving for crashing his Mercedes-Benz into a pole and knocking out power to more than 300 homes, further investigation revealed that Quach’s car and another moving vehicle had collided just moments before, Westminster police said.
Quach was driving east on McFadden Avenue just after midnight Sunday when he hit another car that was also traveling east, said Sgt. Dan Schoonmaker. The vehicle received minor damage. Paramedics evaluated the three occupants on scene and determined they did not need further medical attention.
Seconds after the first accident, Quach’s black Mercedes-Benz S550 hit a power pole in the 8800 block of McFadden Avenue. No one was injured in that crash either, but several hundred of Quach’s constituents were without power until 1 p.m. Sunday.
Quach, 37, said he was on his way home after hanging out with friends when he nodded off.
“Whatever financial, legal and political implications there are, I take full responsibility,” said Quach, who has served on the Westminster City Council for seven years. “I am so thankful that no one was hurt. It’s something that I can never rewind and undo.”
Quach said he does not believe the incident reflects on his abilities as a councilman.
“I just feel bad that constituents look up to me, and this whole incident is a horrible accident and I let them down,” he said.
Other council members agreed. Councilman Frank Fry said he hasn’t heard any reaction from Westminster residents. “It was a mistake on his part and I know he regrets it very deeply,” he said.
Quach took a blood test following the collision. Westminster police are awaiting results, Schoonmaker said.
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