Three injured in Sunday DUI crash; driver arrested
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A solo-vehicle wreck that occurred Sunday east of Clearlake Oaks resulted in three people being injured, with the driver arrested for driving under the influence.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office reported that the crash occurred just after 4 p.m. Sunday on Highway 20 west of Walker Ridge Road.
Aquilino Vazquez-Garcia, 31, of Los Angeles was driving a 1998 Honda Accord westbound on Highway 20 with passengers Christian Vazquez, age and city of residence unknown, Sabino Rios-Garcia, 31, city of residence unknown, and 23-year-old Cristian Figueroa-Roque of Escalon, the CHP said.
The CHP said Vazquez-Garcia was driving at an “unknown unsafe speed” when he entered a left curve in the road, losing control of the Honda.
The car slid across the eastbound traffic lanes and off the south shoulder, with the vehicle’s right side crashing into a tree, the CHP said.
Christian Vazquez, who was riding as the right front passenger, was trapped in the vehicle and extricated by Northshore Fire personnel, according to the CHP.
Rios-Garcia, riding in the right rear of the car, suffered a laceration to his chin. The CHP said he was placed under arrest for public intoxication. He was transported by the CHP to Adventist Health Clear Lake where he was treated for moderate injuries and released to the CHP.
The CHP said Vazquez-Garcia suffered major injuries and was transported from the scene by Cal Star to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
Christian Vazquez also had major injuries and was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial, where he remained in critical condition on Tuesday, the CHP said.
Vazquez-Garcia was determined to be under the influence at the time of the wreck and placed under arrest, according to the CHP.
After being treated, Vazquez-Garcia was released to CHP custody and booked into the Lake County Jail on several charges including felony driving under the influence, and misdemeanor driving without a license and an outside agency warrant. Booking records showed his bail was set at $100,000, with a May 30 court date set.
The third passenger, Figueroa-Roque, who was riding in the left rear of the Honda, was not injured in the crash, the CHP said.
The CHP said it appeared that none of the vehicle’s occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the wreck, which remains under investigation.
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