HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (TCD) — A 54-year-old man faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for allegedly intentionally hitting a group of people and driving into a Kohl’s department store while under the influence of drugs.
The Orange County District Attorney announced Oct. 20 that Tuan Miller faces six felony counts of attempted murder, one felony count of driving under the influence of a drug causing injury, one felony count of vandalism, and one felony count of evading a police officer.
On the evening of Friday, Oct. 13, at around 8 p.m., Miller allegedly drove onto the sidewalk outside the Kohl’s department store at the Bella Terra shopping center. Several people were standing near the department listening to some singing when Miller struck two women, resulting in minor injuries, the District Attorney’s Office said. A bystander reportedly stepped in to pull one of the women from harm.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Miller then revved his engine and accelerated toward three other people, hitting one who “became lodged in the front of Miller’s car as it crashed through the store’s glass doors.”
Miller reportedly fled the scene, but officials later apprehended him.
The District Attorney’s Office noted that Miller caused $425,000 worth of damages to the store.
In a statement, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said, “Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol has catastrophic and often deadly consequences. The decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated by either drugs or alcohol is never the right decision.”
Spitzer added, “Juries have become complacent when it comes to convicting defendants of driving under the influence of marijuana and other drugs and that has to stop. It’s not a matter of if; it’s a matter of when a repeat drugged or drunk driver finally seriously injured or kills someone.”
Miller is due back in court on Nov. 3.
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