DA: Cops Warned He Would ‘Kill Someone'

Woman walking in PB crosswalk struck in February

Trial began Monday for a man accused of driving drunk and fatally striking a woman in a Pacific Beach crosswalk.

Only prosecutors gave an opening statement at the trial of Alan Mabrey, 46, who investigators believe is responsible for the death of Emily Dowdy, 24. Dowdy was walking on Mission Boulevard at Reed Avenue in February when she was hit by a pickup truck. She died 24 hours after she was hit.

Mabrey was arrested several times in other states for DUI-related crimes, including two felony DUIs, prior to Dowdy's death, according to prosecutors. Deputy District Attorney Patty Herian told the jury that Colorado officers who arrested Mabrey in April 2008 warned him that he would "kill someone" if he didn't stop drinking and driving.

Herian, though, told the newly seated jury that Mabrey's .22 blood-alcohol level was equivalent to a person drinking 11 beers. She also said Mabrey walked away from the scene and wasn't found for 40 minutes.

The defense opted not to present an opening statement.

Mabrey had moved to San Diego just a couple of days before the deadly crash, prosecutors said.
 
After his February arraignment, Dowdy's mother said she couldn't believe the man who allegedly killed her daughter had a long history of driving drunk.
 
"Five times! Two felony DUI's? Five years in prison? Do you know how totally reprehensible that is? How filthy and immoral that is?" Ellie Dowdy said.
 
Police said after Mabrey was arrested that he had several pitchers of beer before he got behind the wheel of his friend's truck. Investigators said they also found eight empty beer cans inside that truck.  When Emily was hit, a friend of Mabrey's who was in the vehicle stayed to help her, but Mabrey allegedly ran from the scene to a fast food restaurant.
 
"Backed his truck up, got out, went to Burger King for a hamburger, showed no concern for my daughter, showed no concern for my daughter, left her lying in the gutter with her brain shattered," Dowdy said.
 
Witnesses gave detailed descriptions of the suspected driver and also described an occupant of the vehicle emptying alcohol containers outside the truck immediately after the accident, police said. Mabrey later returned to the scene, where he was arrested, according to investigators.

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