NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Lakeport man has been arrested for driving under the influence following a crash in Petaluma on Saturday night that killed one of his passengers and injured another.
Teodulo Francisco Tovar Jr., 29, was arrested for the crash, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Santa Rosa Area office.
The CHP said that at 11:40 p.m. Saturday Tovar Jr. was driving his 2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible on US-101 southbound, south of the Petaluma Boulevard South overcrossing when, for unknown reasons, he traveled off the main portion of the US-101 and into the active construction zone adjacent to the right shoulder at the Kastania Gas and Shop.
Despite several “road closure” barricade signs present, Tovar traveled along the partially constructed roadway for approximately 1.8 miles until he struck the concrete bridge abutment for the partially constructed San Antonio Creek Bridge, the CHP said.
There is a 30-foot gap of roadway surface and an open trench just prior to the bridge abutment and the CHP said Tovar’s vehicle careened off the roadway, head on into the abutment.
The CHP said Tovar had been traveling with another male from Lakeport and his mother, Veronica April Anderson, 57, also of Lakeport.
The male passenger sustained fatal injuries as a result of the wreck and was pronounced deceased by Novato Fire Department personnel, the CHP said.
Anderson sustained major injuries and was transported to Marin General Hospital for treatment, according to the CHP.
Tovar also sustained major injuries and was taken to Marin General Hospital. The CHP said Tovar’s injuries are very serious and he is listed grave condition.
The Chrysler Sebring sustained major front end damage and was eventually towed by Cloverdale Tow for Evidence, the CHP reported.
Upon contacting Tovar, the CHP said its officers detected the odor of alcohol on his person. Tovar also admitted to consuming alcohol and smoking marijuana earlier in the day.
At 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, Tovar was placed under arrest for felony DUI and manslaughter, the CHP said.
The CHP said Tovar’s injuries are serious and he is still undergoing medical treatment at Marin General.
Petaluma DUI wreck kills Lakeport man, injures two others
- Lake County News Reports
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