A 19-year-old teen model was killed early Thursday a fire truck responding to an emergency medical call struck the car she was travelling in broadside in Poway. The driver was uninjured, but had to be broken out of the vehicle. Authorities have learned that driver Robbie Gillespie, 44, was released from jail 48 hours prior to the crash.
He had previously been arrested for drug and alcohol-related crimes, including posession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia, NBC San Diego reported. The San Diego Sheriff's department found a shattered alcohol bottle upon inspection of the heavily damaged vehicle. It is not known whether or not drugs or alcohol played a part in the collision. The fire truck was occupied by three Poway paramedics and firefighters when it collided with Gillespie's Honda. No firefighters were hurt in the crash.
Gillespie is part of an ongoing investigation regarding the collision and has not yet been arrested or charged with any crime. Wade Courtney, the woman's father, spoke publicly after a vigil for his daughter. He told reporters he was touched by the outpouring of support, cards and trinkets.
"I think I have a couple thousand [photos of Evelyn]," he said. "I didn't cry a lot yesterday, but I cried a lot today and will cry more tomorrow."
Details surrounding the woman's relationship with Gillespie have not been revealed by police. Her father, however, said that he was a good friend and mentor to his daughter, who was on the path to becoming a print and runway model. He said that Gillespie was taking Evelyn home early Thursday after she had finished a fashion project with Gillespie's wife.
View more videos at: http://nbcsandiego.com.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
