A Bullhead City man who was impaired when he crashed his vehicle through the glass front doors of a convenience market and injured a patron has entered a plea agreement that could send him to prison. 70-year-old Alexander Andrew Molinari pleaded guilty to a drunk driving related charge, aggravated assault and criminal damage for the August, 2018 incident at the Beyond River Mart off Highway 95.
Prosecutor James Schoppmann said Molinari’s blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit for driving when his pickup truck struck the store entrance and a 55-year-old woman who was injured.
“It caused the victim to fly in the air,” Schoppman said, noting she suffered three broken bones in her lower back. “It is something that will likely impact her for life.”
Molinari told the Court that he has never before been in any type of legal trouble. He also expressed concern that the victim may have had a pre-existing injury and claimed she was hurt in the store crash.
While Molinari questioned some facts of his case, he accepted his guilt for driving while intoxicated.
“I got behind the wheel. There’s no denying that,” he said. “Insurance paid for everything. Everyone’s happy.”
Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle deferred acceptance of the deal. He said he’ll make his decision after hearing more about the victim’s injuries and restitution issues during a July 12 sentencing hearing.
Terms of the deal afford Carlisle broad range in determining proper punishment. Molinari is eligible for probation but he could also be sent to prison for 11.25 years.
