Driver Arrested in Teen Model Evelyn Courtney's Death

Originally posted at 6:01 p.m. Aug. 1, 2013.

Robbie Gillespie—the 44-year-old man who said he considered himself  “a big brother” to aspiring teen model Evelyn Courtney—was arrested Thursday in her June 20 traffic death.

Gillespie, of Rancho Bernardo, was arrested without incident shortly before 2:30 p.m. at his home in the 12000 block of Alta Carmel Court, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

He was taken into custody on charges of:

• Vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs causing injury
• Offense while on bail.

Gillespie was driving his 1994 maroon, two-door Honda Accord around 4 a.m. June 20 when he ran a red light at an unknown speed at the intersection of Poway and Midland roads, authorities say. 

A Poway fire engine was traveling eastbound on Poway followed by a paramedic unit when the fire engine collided at an intersection with Gillespie's Honda, which was moving southbound on Midland, the Sheriff's Department said.

The Poway Fire Department said their lights were activated, but their sirens were not. Courtney, 19, of Poway, died at the scene.

According to the county Medical Examiner’s Office, the young woman died from multiple blunt force injuries. An autopsy report added that Courtney's blood alcohol level at the time of the accident was at 0.23 percent.

Courtney's dog also died in the crash.

Gillespie said he was driving the Courtney home after meeting up and eating food from Jack in the Box. 

According to the medical examiner’s report, Gillespie asked Courtney to pay for a hotel room the morning of June 20 “because he had nowhere to sleep, and because he was broke after a job suspension from the Best Western Inn in Poway.”

It was unknown whether she paid for a room. The report stated that neither of Courtney’s parents knew Gillespie.

Authorities found an open container of alcohol inside Gillespie’s vehicle at the scene of the accident. He suffered non life-threatening injuries from the crash.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, an arraignment date has not been set. 

“We were just friends,” Gillespie told Fox5 News in early July.  “She thought of me more as a father figure. I kind of thought myself as a big brother.”

“We went to Jack in the Box and we were just hanging out,” Gillespie was quoted as saying. “I tried to help her and she tried to help me with my issues.”

Gillespie told Fox5 News he was taking Courtney home to her parent’s home in Poway.

“As I entered into the intersection at Midland and Poway, I heard nothing,” he said.  “That’s when I looked over and I saw the fire truck.  Instinct was to hit the gas and accelerate, but I had no chance.”