I'm an Alcoholic and go to AA! Pleads DWI driver who crashed through Duncan Donuts window Monday Aug. 13, 2012

JR Harris's picture
Submitted by JR Harris on Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:32


Marco Guardiola, 55, of New York Avenue in Jersey City pleads for leniency from the Judge at his arraignment stating "I'm sick, I'm sick. I need help." Claiming to be a member of the cult of Alcoholics Anonymous in good standing and attempting to use the "AA get out of jail free card" the judge, prosecutor and defense attorney told Guardiola to keep quiet and he was put on $35,000 bail for injuring 8 people inside the Duncan Donuts store on Monday, Aug. 13, 2012 located at 318 Central Ave. in Jersey City.

Man charged in Dunkin' Donuts crash tells judge he's an alcoholic

Published: Tuesday, August 14, 2012, 3:56 PM
By Michaelangelo Conte/The Jersey Journal

The man charged with crashing his SUV into a crowded Dunkin' Donuts in the Jersey City Heights last night told a judge today that he's an alcoholic and needs help.

Bail was set at $35,000 for Marco Guardiola, 55, of New York Avenue in Jersey City, who was making his first court appearance following the alcohol-fueled crash that left eight people injured.

The worst of the injuries was suffered by a 14-year-old Jersey City girl, who was admitted to the Jersey City Medical Center with at least one broken leg and facial lacerations. The teen underwent 3-and-a-half hours of surgery.

Guardiola was charged with DWI and multiple counts of assault by auto, as well as numerous motor vehicle violations, according to police reports. Court officials said today the Guardiola, whose driver's license had been suspended, had two prior DWI convictions in New York, where he previously lived.

"I passed out and I lost control," Guardiola told Central Judicial Processing court Judge Richard Nieto as the hearing got under way.

Later Guardiola told the judge "I'm sick, I'm sick. I need help" and he appeared on the verge of tears when Nieto listed the various injuries suffered by the people inside the coffee shop.

When the judge asked him what kind of help, Guardiola admitted he is an alcoholic and attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. He also said that he passed out before the crash. Police are awaiting the results of the blood-alcohol test administered last night at the hospital.

Guardiola's public defender, the judge and even the prosecutor in the courtroom urged Guardiola to stay quiet during the hearing.

"I don't know if you realize the seriousness of what you are facing," Nieto told him. "You have the right to remain silent. Any statements you are making can only harm you, not help you."

Guardiola, who suffered minor injuries in the crash, had a cut on his chin, teeth were missing and he appeared to have trouble opening his mouth to talk this afternoon.

The crash occurred at the Dunkin' Donuts at the corner of Central Avenue and Griffith Street at 8:42 last night. Shards of glass flew throughout the store when police say Guardiola slammed through a huge glass panel in the front of the shop.

Previous coverage:

8 hurt when SUV crashes into Dunkin Donuts

Driver is charged with DWI, assault by auto
Related topics: jersey-city

Source: http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2012/08/im_an_alcoholic_man_charged_in....

Comments

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:52

The bail of $35,000 for Guardiola seems very lenient, did his "AA get out of jail free card" work? Many people are put on a much higher bail for a lot less. Was Marco Guardiola a chairperson, District Committee Member (DCM) or General Service Representative (GSR) for the Jersey City Alcoholics Anonymous fellowship? Did the judge take that into consideration behind closed doors?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Ed

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 16:08

LOL Keeping coming back it works if ya work it glug glug glug glug
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pictures/view/58073/

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 16:58

Located out of St Nick's School Cafeteria basement on 122 Ferry Street, Jersey City, NJ the cult of Alcoholics Anonymous runs the business meetings the last Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm for AA Service Area 44 District 14. It is unknown, but very doubtful if the Northern New Jersey Intergroup will discuss this tragic event of one of their own, except for ways to cover up what has happened and disassociate from him and search for replacements to protect the capture, care, feeding, manipulation and brainwashing of new prospects...

http://www.nnjaa.org/area44/maps/District_14_Map.htm

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

YuppieMonkey's picture

YuppieMonkey

Wed, 08/15/2012 - 05:32

He sure learned how to spout all the right phrases while going to AA meetings. Did he explain to the judge the disease concept of alcoholism and how he is 'powerless'?.
I say 10 years prison should send a message, but that will never happen. Within 2 years he will be sitting at AA meetings as a wise guru, talking about how grateful he is to be an alcoholic. Of course when his ass is on the line, God will suddenly be motivated to 'keep His sheep sober'.

"You'll pay to know what you really think". - J.R. Bob Dobbs

DeConstructor's picture

DeConstructor

Wed, 08/15/2012 - 09:34

as he has a terminal 'disease'

Not to mention I am not sure he was at fault while driving. It looks like the store jumped out in front of him.

alkieanon's picture

alkieanon

Wed, 08/15/2012 - 20:52

Going to an AA meeting?