CLEARLAKE OAKS — A driver and his passenger were arrested Tuesday after the vehicle they were in hit a tree and rolled down a steep embankment on Sulphur Bank Drive north of North Drive in Clearlake Oaks. The driver, identified as George Corsetti, 58, of Clearlake, was arrested for felony DUI while his passenger, Greg Marino, 58, of Nevada, was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant for DUI.
According to California Highway Patrol (CHP), Corsetti was traveling southbound on Sulphur Bank Drive in a 1986 VW Golf; Marino was a passenger in the right front seat. Because of Corsetti”s alleged level of intoxication, he drove the vehicle off the west road edge where it hit a tree. Neither Corsetti nor Marino was wearing a seatbelt; Corsetti suffered a deep laceration to his knee while Marino suffered a head injury when he hit the windshield. After the vehicle hit the tree, it remained on its wheels and rolled backward down a steep hill until the rear end hit another tree. The vehicle came to rest facing uphill on its wheels.
Corsetti exited the vehicle and climbed up the embankment to the road. Two citizens stopped to help. One of the citizens was able to climb down the hill and free Marino. The citizen then helped him to the road where he was treated by Lake County Fire Protection District medics prior to being transported to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake (SHC).
Corsetti was detained by Lake County Sheriff”s deputies until CHP units arrived. Corsetti was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury. He was transported to SHC for treatment of his knee injury and for a blood test. He was then booked into Lake County Jail. Marino was also booked into the county jail on the misdemeanor warrant.
