CLEARLAKE OAKS >> A southern Calfornia driver was arrested for driving under the influence, resulting in a single-vehicle crash that left himself and two passengers injured on Sunday on Highway 20.
According to the California Highway Patrol, front passenger Christian Vazquez, whose age was not released, remained in a coma and “critical” at the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital as of Wednesday afternoon.
The right rear passenger, Sabino Rios- Garcia, 31, received a laceration to his chin in the crash and was placed under arrest at the scene for public intoxication. He was sent to Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and later released to CHP. The third passenger, 23-year-old Cristian Figueroa-Roque, of Escalon, was reported not injured.
Driver Aquilino Vazquez-Garcia, 31, of Los Angeles, was driving a 1998 Honda Accord with the three passengers onboard westbound on Highway 20, east of Clearlake Oaks, at 4 p.m. at an unknown safe speed as he entered a left curve in the roadway, CHP said.
There he lost control of the car, which slid across the eastbound traffic lanes and off the south shoulder.
As a result, the vehicle collided with a tree, leaving Christian Vazquez trapped in the car. CHP said it appeared all occupants were not wearing seatbelts.
Vazquez-Garcia had significant injuries and was treated at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital before being detained on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was then booked into the Lake County Jail on several charges including driving without a license. His bail is set at $100,000.
According to CHP spokesperson Kory Reynolds, the occupants were entering Lake County for a rodeo that day.
