Long was released on $50,000 bail Thursday night after being arrested following an accident in which the truck he was driving rear-ended a car carrying four female members of the cheer squad at Murrieta Valley High School. All four girls received injuries and one remained hospitalized Sunday.
A posting on Long's personal Facebook page, posted at 6 p.m. today, reads as follows:
Please excuse the tardiness of this post, however it is written with no less sincerity. My family and I would like to thank the many of you that have sent your support and prayers. We are grateful to have such loyal friends.
Please continue to pray for ALL involved!
This statement was issued about 24 hours after an apology from Long was issued in a statement released by his attorney, Virginia Blumenthal. That statement read in, part, that "Mr. Long expresses his deep concern for the safety and well-being of those who may have been injured in the accident. He extends his sincere apologies for this accident to each of them and to their families, as well as to the citizens of the City of Murrieta."
Police reported that the accident took place at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Lilly Avenue, near Murrieta Valley High School. According to the statement from Blumenthal, the juveniles’ car was making a left-hand turn about 8 p.m. Thursday and Long was traveling at approximately 25 mph at the time of the collision.
"When officers of the Murrieta Police Department arrived, he cooperated fully with them in their investigation," the statement read.
Blumenthal's statement also said that Long's blood alcohol percentage according to a breathalyzer test was below the legal limit of .08, but that "the police did their job as Mr. Long would expect them to do. No charges have yet been filed. There is obviously no conviction and the investigation into this accident is continuing."
Long did not return calls seeking comment.
According to jail records, Long will be in court on Dec. 11 regarding this matter. He is up for re-election to the Murrieta City Council in the Nov. 4 election.
Long serves as Battalion Chief in the Anaheim Fire Department. He has served on the city council since 2010.