Yahoo! reports that the DUI driver who crashed his vehicle into the Kohl’s department store in Huntington Beach is now facing six counts of attempted murder and other related charges.
Authorities say that 54-year-old Tuan Miller was arrested on October 13 when he crashed into the storefront at the Bella Terra Mall at approximately 8:00 p.m.
Miller backed his pickup truck out of the wreckage and fled the scene. He was found and apprehended by Huntington Beach Police officers in the 16000 block of Beach Boulevard when Miller crashed into a street lamp.
While being interviewed by officers, police determined that Miller was under the influence of an undisclosed narcotic at the time of the crash.
Three people were injured in the crash. All were taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
On Friday, October 20, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer told reporters that the incident was not being investigated as an intentional act.
Miller is accused of plowing his vehicle into a group of people gathered outside the store to listen to a choral group. Eyewitnesses say Miller drove up onto the sidewalk, striking two women with his truck. He then revved his engine and accelerated toward three more people, lodging one of the victims onto the hood of his vehicle as it crashed through the glass storefront.
“We as a society have to wake up and realize that driving under the influence is something we must take seriously,” Spitzer said. “And when people made the decision to do drugs and get behind the wheel, there must be consequences.”
The charges against Miller include six felony counts of attempted murder and one felony count of driving while under the influence of a drug causing injury. Miller also faces charges of vandalism and evading police.
Officials estimate that Miller caused approximately $425,000 in damage to the Kohl’s store.
If convicted of all the charges against him, Miller could spend the rest of his life in prison.
According to the DA, Miller is due to appear in court in Westminster on November 3.
