Full Notification

Sandra Spagnoli Chief of Police
901 East 14th Street, San Leandro CA 94577

PRESS RELEASE

DATE / TIME OF RELEASE: 3/25/2012 7:45 pm CRIME: Felony drunk driving w/ injury

PRESS RELEASE OFFICER: Lt. Rick DeCosta TELEPHONE: (510) 577-3242

DATE / TIME OCCURRED: 3/25/2012 2:56 pm

LOCATION: El Torito Restaurant -- #5 San Leandro Marina

INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE(S): Traffic Division

SUSPECT(S): Andre Morlino

DETAILS:

On Sunday, March 25, 2012, about 2:56 pm, the San Leandro Police Department received 9-1-1 calls regarding a subject that was thrown from a vehicle in the parking lot of El Torito Restaurant at the San Leandro Marina. As Officers were responding, callers reported the vehicle involved, a white Ford Mustang, had fled the area. When Officers arrived on scene, the male victim was located in the parking lot unconscious.

The victim was immediately transported to an area hospital where he was listed in critical condition.

While Officers were at the hospital, the alleged driver of the white Ford Mustang, Andre Morlino (27), arrived to check on the victim. Morlino was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, a felony.

Through witness interviews, Officers determined Morlino and the victim were friends. It was also determined that the victim was sitting on the front passenger door – through the open window – with his legs inside the passenger compartment and his upper body outside of the vehicle. As Morlino was driving recklessly through the parking lot he turned the vehicle in a manner causing the victim to be thrown out onto the parking lot where he suffered head injuries.

Lieutenant DeCosta said, “This is a tragic incident. It’s unfortunate that the victim chose to place himself in an unsafe situation. It’s also unfortunate that Morlino chose to place the life of the victim at risk while making a conscious decision to drive in a reckless manner.”

The name of the victim is not being released at this time until proper identification and family notifications can be made.

MEDIA UPDATES WILL BE MADE AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.