One dead, 5 injured after crash north of Salinas
Victor Guzman
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — One person is dead and five others hurt after a suspected DUI crash along Old Stage and Natividad Road on Sunday night.
The CHP said a red Ford pick-up truck driven by 29-year-old Miguel Garcia Soto of Watsonville was traveling northbound on Old Stage Road, while a gray Nissan SUV crashed head-on just before 8 p.m. on Sunday.
The driver of the SUV, a 47-year-old man from Salinas, died as a result of their injuries while the passengers in the vehicle — all ages ranging from 12 to 42 years old from Salinas — suffered moderate to major injuries.
For reasons still under investigation, the CHP says that the pickup crossed into the southbound lane, resulting in a head-on crash with the SUV.
“The driver of the pickup sustained suspected minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital,” according to the CHP. “Four of the SUV’s five passengers sustained suspected moderate to major injuries and were transported to a local hospital. One passenger required emergency air transport.”
Soto was arrested for Felony DUI. The California Highway Patrol is working in collaboration with the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office to pursue additional charges as the investigation continues.
The identity of the SUV’s driver will be released by the Monterey County Coroner’s Office once next of kin has been notified.
Old Stage Road along Hebert and Natividad was shut down as part of the investigation.
The CHP encourages anyone with information related to this crash to contact the Monterey Area office at (831) 770-8000 or email MontereyCHPTips@chp.ca.gov.