77-year-old Virginio Cortez from Salinas died in the crash, and 24-year-old Jose Sanchez Jr. from Salinas was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Salinas, CA. – 38-year-old Krystal Cortez has been identified as the Salinas woman who was hospitalized after a deadly collision that took place Saturday afternoon on Highway 101 in Salinas.
The accident was reported around 1:07 p.m. in the southbound lanes of the highway south of Laurel Drive.
77-year-old Virginio Cortez from Salinas died in the crash, and 24-year-old Jose Sanchez Jr. from Salinas was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Virginio was changing the tire of a silver Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck on the right shoulder and Krystal was standing near the pickup truck. A maroon Nissan Altima was stopped on the right shoulder in front of the pickup truck.
Authorities said at the same time, Jose Sanchez Jr. was driving a black 2005 Acura TL in the number 2 lane. As the Acura approached the pickup truck, Sanchez Jr. veered off the roadway and side-swiped Krystal.
The Acura continued south, struck Virginio, and then hit the pickup truck. The pickup truck was pushed into the rear of the Altima, and the pickup truck overturned onto its right side.
The Acura continued to spin and hit a white 2003 Honda Pilot being driven by 29-year-old Miguel Narez from Soledad.
Emergency personnel responded shortly after the crash and pronounced Virginio dead at the scene.
Krystal was taken to Natividad Medical Center with abdominal contusions.
Narez and two young children in his car were not injured.
Sanchez Jr. was also taken to Natividad Medical Center with moderate injuries. He was also arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while impaired.
CHP officers are investigating the collision.
Original Story
Salinas, CA. – Virginio Cortez, 77, of Salinas, has been identified as the man killed in a suspected DUI collision on Saturday afternoon in Salinas, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The deadly crash occurred at around 1:06 p.m. on July 20, Highway 101 near Laurel Drive exit.
Police said 24-year-old Jose Ramiro Sanchez was driving on the highway when, for unknown reasons, he swerved off the roadway and crashed into Sanchez, who was changing a tire to a truck along the road.
The collision caused the truck to slam into the rear of another vehicle, while Sanchez's car crashed into another vehicle before it halted.
Another individual standing outside the pickup was hurt but is expected to survive.
Police found Sanchez with alcohol in his vehicle after the collision. He was later arrested on suspicion of DUI.
An investigation is ongoing.
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