The former mayor of Murrieta told police he had been driving at about 25 mph at the time of an alleged DUI crash that left four cheerleaders injured.
Alan William Long, 44, said he had been going at that speed as he headed south on Jefferson Boulevard, Murrieta when suddenly a car in front of him slammed on the brakes for no reason at the causing him to rear end the vehicle, according to a police report obtained by NBC4.
However attorney Jean Simon Serrano, who is representing driver Chloe Rogers and her sister Camille, was not impressed with the claim.
"The photos we are seeing of the cars.. I don't see how he was only going 25 Miles and hour," Serrano said, "One of the girls is still sleeping on a hospital bed."
The attorney insisted Chloe Rogers was making a legal left turn at the time of the Oct. 16 incident, and did not slam on the brakes.
In addition, the officer who wrote the police report stated Long was visibly intoxicated and failed a field sobriety test.
The crash victims, ranging from 14 and 17 years old, were taken to hospitals, two of whom suffered major injuries, according to Murrieta police Lt. Ron Driscoll
Despite his resignation and an ongoing felony case, in which he faces one count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, along with four sentence-enhancing bodily injury allegations, Long is running for city council again in the forthcoming elections this coming week.
However his former rival for city council Douglas Gibbs says he should quit the race, especially in light of the fact he is a battalion chief for the Anaheim Fire Department.
"As a first responder he should know better," Gibbs said.
However Murrieta residents seem to be backing the embattled politican.
"I know him to be a man of his word, I know him to be somebody who follows through," Heather Rawlings said.
"We all make mistakes.. None of us are perfect. So we should give a chance," Terry Carter said.