Former Gilroy High School track coach Alvin Harrison pleaded
guilty to felony DUI charges Tuesday. The former Olympian was
sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years probation. Full
article
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Former Gilroy High School track coach Alvin Harrison pleaded guilty to felony DUI charges Tuesday inside the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
The former Olympian was sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years probation after pleading guilty to two felony charges and one misdemeanor charge, including driving under the influence of alcohol with injury, driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or more causing injury and driving with a suspended license.
“We felt these charge were appropriate, given the conduct,” said Farrah Emami, spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Harrison was terminated following an April 7 accident where he hit another vehicle from behind on state Highway 73, causing it to overturn and sending two people to the hospital while wrecking a rental van on a school athletic field trip, according to the California Highway Patrol.
No GHS students were in the van during the time.
CHP Officer Devon Boatman said Alvin, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, reached speeds of 80 to 85 mph as he attempted to make a lane change from the center lane into the right lane at 8:59 p.m. Alvin’s blood alcohol content at the time of the accident measured .16, twice the legal limit, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office.
The fact Harrison did not have a valid driver’s license was only discovered after the incident by Gilroy Unified School District, which then removed longtime GHS athletic director Jack Daley from his position.
A school district investigation revealed Daley rented the vehicle for Harrison to use, but Daley reiterated to the Dispatch that he had no knowledge of Harrison’s invalid license.
The district’s decision to oust Daley has since incited outrage among students, parents, teachers and community members, who have planned their third peaceful protest for 5 p.m. Thursday at GUSD offices on 7810 Arroyo Circle.
