Driver in Alleged DUI Fatality in Leisure World Pleads Not Guilty

A 75-year-old woman accused of driving drunk and fatally injuring an 86-year-old man in the Leisure World retirement community in Seal Beach pleaded not guilty today to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Dale Snyder Quinn of Seal Beach was charged Tuesday in connection with the May 20 crash, according to Deputy District Attorney Nancy Hayashida, who said the defendant faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Quinn is accused of drinking before getting behind the wheel of her car, which slammed into Robert Dillon as he was crossing the street at St. Andrews Drive and Tam O'Shanter Road in the Leisure World complex in Seal Beach on his battery-operated scooter, Hayashida said.

Dillon was pronounced dead eight days after the collision.

Quinn had a blood-alcohol content of .22 percent, well above the legal limit of .08, an hour after the crash, Hayashida alleged.

Quinn, who is out of custody on $50,000 bail, is due back in court Sept. 6 for a pretrial hearing.

``This is a terrible tragedy for the person who died and the entire family,'' defense attorney Allan Stokke said. ``We intend to work our way through this matter and we extend our sympathy to the (victim's) family.''

-City News Service