Former Murrieta Mayor Pleads Not Guilty To DUI Charges

MURRIETA (CBSLA.com) — The former mayor of Murrieta pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony drunken driving charges after an October crash that injured four high school cheerleaders.

Alan William Long faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, along with four sentence-enhancing allegations.

Long was driving a pickup when he rear-ended a sedan carrying the four teens from Murrieta Valley High School on Oct. 16, police said.

The victims, ranging in age from 14 to 17, were taken to hospitals, two with what major injuries.

The 44-year-old's blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.08 percent after the accident, the District Attorney's Office said.

Long, a battalion chief with the Anaheim Fire Department, resigned as mayor Oct. 20 but was re-elected to a second four-year term in November. It was unclear if he would assume the seat or if his resignation would remain in effect.

A civil lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the four girls asking for unspecified monetary damages.

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