By Kevin Smetana, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
TAMPA — The father of a little girl severely injured by a drunken driver going the wrong way two years ago now is accused himself of driving the wrong way while drunk.
It is the second drunken driving arrest for Joshua Moll since the Sept. 10, 2008, crash, this time in Austin, Texas.
An officer there pulled Moll over on July 2 after seeing him in a 2002 Dodge pickup going the wrong way on a one-way street, according to an arrest affidavit. Moll, 28, was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and resisting transport.
Almost two years ago, a wreck caused by a woman driving the wrong way on the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway while drunk left Moll's daughter, Summer, with a fractured skull. Her mother, Jennifer O'Boyle, didn't survive.
"It's sad to think that after this is what almost killed his own child, that he shows no regard for this particular law," said Becky Gage, victim advocate for the Hillsborough County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Following the crash, Joshua Moll had come to the bay area from Texas seeking custody of Summer.
On Feb. 17, 2009, he was arrested by Tampa police on a DUI charge. He didn't show up to a July court appearance, resulting in a warrant —which is still active — for his arrest.
Moll is scheduled to appear in Texas court next month for his latest arrest.
When authorities stopped him in Austin, Moll, who failed a field sobriety test, smelled of alcohol, according to the report. He slurred his speech and had bloodshot, glassy eyes.
Upon Moll's request, the officer went to retrieve some cash from his truck after placing him in the police car, the report states. That's when Moll began screaming and banging on the police car door.
He also tried getting out of the car and struggled with two officers, the report shows, tearing the name tag from a uniform. He was released from jail on $7,000. Twelve days later, he was cited for public intoxication.
Moll hung up the phone when reached by a reporter Wednesday evening.
Tammy Rosian, Summer's grandmother and caregiver since the crash, said she is disappointed and angry. At one point, she was willing to share custody of Summer with the girl's dad. Not anymore.
"It's ridiculous. I can't even believe it," she said. "I'm still actually numb. I don't understand his thinking."
Cheryl Maria Riemann, 27, the driver responsible for O'Boyle's death and Summer's injuries, pleaded guilty two weeks ago to several charges, including DUI manslaughter.
Meanwhile, Summer, now 6, is doing well, her grandmother said. Her head wound is finally covered with skin after seven grafts. On Wednesday, she played volleyball with a soft ball during physical therapy.
News researcher John Martin and staff writer Colleen Jenkins contributed to this report. Kevin Smetana can be reached at ksmetana@sptimes.com or (813) 661-2439.