◼ Court document: Flores tried to 'subvert' investigation
Anthony Marques Flores, who stands accused of vehicular manslaughter and other charges for his alleged role in the Oct. 6 crash that claimed the life of 9-year-old Nicole Quigley, allegedly gave his 1998 silver Ford Mustang to a friend to “take care of,” according to court documents.
Flores, 19, was allegedly racing with Jason Bradley Whitmill down State Route 299 when Whitmill's 2004 Pontiac Sunfire clipped an uninvolved Chevrolet Tahoe, causing the Sunfire and the Tahoe to veer off the road and down an embankment.
The crash left the Tahoe's driver, Debra Quigley, seriously injured and killed her 9-year-old daughter, Nicole.
In addition to vehicular manslaughter charges, Flores also is charged with engaging in a speed contest causing injury and leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury.
Whitmill, 31, faces charges of first degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence causing injury, vehicular manslaughter and engaging in a speed contest causing injury.
Whitmill and Flores have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to a declaration to increase bail in Flores' case file, it was Whitmill who attempted a maneuver that allegedly caused the wreck.
”During the 'race,' Whitmill attempted to pass Flores' vehicle on the right at speeds estimated to be 90-100 mph,” the declaration states. “While doing so, Whitmill collided with a third, entirely uninvolved vehicle, driven by Debra Quigley.”
After seeing the wreck, Flores allegedly kept driving.
”After the collision, Flores fled the scene,” the declaration continues. “After an extensive search for the driver of the Ford Mustang and numerous tips from the community, Flores was identified as a possible suspect. Not until three days after the collision, on Oct. 9, 2008, did Flores make any attempt to communicate with law enforcement about his involvement in the collision. When he did so, it was only after law enforcement officers engaged in a search of the parking lot of his place of employment (Sun Valley Bulb Farm) for either he or the vehicle.”
Shortly after the collision, according to the declaration, Flores' passenger, Jodene Aubrey, took possession of the Mustang, telling Flores she would “take care of” the damage to the vehicle. When the Mustang was found in the early morning hours of Oct. 12, it had been spray painted black, according to the declaration.
Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos said accessory charges were considered against Aubrey for her alleged role in hiding the vehicle.
”We looked to see what evidence we have and what's the likelihood of success at trial,” Gallegos said, adding that he ultimately decided not to follow through with charges.
Attorneys for Flores and Whitmill were not available for comment.
According to the declaration, Flores remained uncooperative after being contacted by law enforcement, days after the accident.
”Flores consented to an interview and was evasive about his involvement for nearly 1.5 hours,” the declaration states. “Ultimately, he admitted that he was the driver, but was unable, or unwilling, to provide information about the whereabouts of his vehicle.”
The declaration goes on to request that Flores' bail be raised to $250,000, a request that was granted by Superior Court Judge Bruce Watson at Tuesday's arraignment.
Thadeus Greenson can be reached at 441-0509 or tgreenson@times-standard.com
***
Related:
09
◼ Whitmill and Flores trial date delayed another month 08/04/2009
◼ Whitmill, Flores take District Attorney's deal 12/05/2009
◼ Jury selection begins in trial of Whitmill, Flores 11/23/2009
◼ Whitmill, Flores trial to proceed 11/10/2009
◼ Motion denied to suppress blood sample in Whitmill case 11/06/2009
◼ Whitmill faces murder charge for alleged role in crash 10/15/2008
◼ Quigley family, friends remember 9-year-old Nicole 10/06/09
◼ Nearly one year ago 10/01/2009
◼ Case surrounding fatal crash on Highway 299 delayed 09/15/2009
◼ Too many delays 9/10/09
◼ Legal maneuvers slow case of men charged in 9-year-old's death 09/01/2009
◼ Whitmill and Flores trial date delayed another month 08/04/2009
◼ Evidence, charges unchanged against Whitmill 07/17/2009
◼ Evidence for second degree murder charge? 06/19/2009
◼ Thinking of the Quigleys 05/29/2009
◼ Remember Nicole 05/08/2009
◼ Looking forward: Quigley family watches and waits as case continues 05/17/2009
◼ Defendants in 299 wreck plead not guilty 03/28/2009
◼ Judge holds Whitmill, Flores to answer for 299 wreck 03/14/2009
◼ Wife refuses to testify against husband at preliminary hearing 03/13/2009
◼ Investigator testifies suspect in fatal crash changed story 03/12/2009
◼ Officer testifies about 299 crash at prelim 03/11/2009
◼ Preliminary hearing over Highway 299 wreck continues 03/10/2009
◼ Superior Court delays hearing in 299 crash case 02/11/2009
◼ Broken system 01/23/2009
08
◼ Hug your children 12/03/2008
◼ Vehicular manslaughter suspect has extensive criminal history 11/13/2008
◼ Whitmill-Flores hearing continued 11/06/2008
◼ Street race case waiting on CHP reports 10/23/2008
◼ Authorities seek Mustang passenger for questioning 10/17/2008
◼ Court document: Flores tried to 'subvert' investigation 10/16/08
◼ Whitmill faces murder charge for alleged role in crash 10/15/2008
◼ Authorities arrest driver of Mustang 10/10/2008
◼ New driver named in fatal collision 10/09/2008
◼ Search continues for other driver in fatal crash 10/08/2008
◼ ER Parolee named as driver in fatal collision
◼ TS New driver identified in fatal crash
◼ TS New driver named in fatal collision
TS Update: ☛ TS Police still looking for driver
◼ TS Driver sought: Suspected drag race on 299 results in fatal crash
Note: there were other articles in the Eureka reporter, but none are available online anymore.
