Westminster city councilman arrested for 2nd DUI

WESTMINSTER, Calif. (KABC) -- A Westminster city councilman has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence for the second time.

Andy Quach, 42, is accused of crashing his car around 10 a.m. Monday into a security gate at a Westminster apartment complex, across the street from a middle school.

Westminster police said residents detained Quach until officers arrived.

"Mr. Quach was not injured, but showed signs of impairment. As such, we contacted the California Highway Patrol and requested that they handle the investigation," Westminster Police Department released in a statement.

California Highway Patrol took over the case, so Westminster police could avoid a conflict of interest. CHP says Quach failed a field sobriety test.

"He's lost his way in life. He should realize his responsibility for being elected into such positions and he should be respectful of the people he represents," Westminster resident Robert Jones said.

In 2009, Quach plead guilty to drinking and driving, after he crashed his car into a pole and knocked out power to hundreds of homes in Little Saigon, the community he represents. He was placed on three years probation and underwent alcohol education.

"If you're representing some city, you should be more responsible for your actions," Irvine resident Annie Dang said.

Quach fled Vietnam by boat in 1980 and is a U.S. Navy veteran. He was first elected to city council in 2002, then re-elected in 2006 and 2010.

"It's unfortunate that the trust those people put into him to give him a second chance, that he violated that," Jones added.

While being booked into jail, he listed his occupation as unemployed.

Quach did not seek re-election. His term is expected to finish mid-December.

Quach could not be reached for comment. He was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.