Lake County >> Two people involved in an alleged drunk driving hit and run incident on Wednesday evening were arrested and one transported to a hospital following an unusual chase.
Christopher Oneil-Zambrano, 28, was driving a 1995 Ford Explorer with four passengers southbound on Highway 29 south of Cruickshank Road at an unknown speed when he lost control of his vehicle at approximately 7:15 p.m. It rolled over at least once but landed on its wheels, according to California Highway Patrol officer Ryan Erickson.
John Pommier, 22, was either thrown from the vehicle or jumped out as it rolled. Investigators have yet to determine what caused him to leave the vehicle, but they believe he was one of two passengers not wearing a seat belt. Pommier, of Upper Lake, sustained critical brain trauma and was transported via REACH air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where CHP public information officer Kory Reynolds said he was in stable condition as of Thursday morning. The rest of the vehicle’s occupants sustained only minor injuries.
Following the roll over, Oneil-Zambrano fled the scene with three other male passengers still inside the vehicle, Erickson reported. Pommier remained on the ground.
The driver stopped just north of Live Oak Drive, at which point Oneil-Zambrano and his passengers got into an argument. The men ran off, leaving the driver before police arrived at the scene. They were all eventually found on the same road near the CHP office, Erickson stated.
Passenger Troy Bailey, 22, was subsequently arrested for trespassing, public intoxication and resisting arrest.
Oneil-Zambrano, 28, was arrested at the scene and faces a felony DUI charge and hit and run causing injury.
