KTLA reports that a man from La Habra has been arrested for suspicion of DUI in a crash that claimed the life of a pedestrian. 26-year-old Ricardo Preciado-Saldivar was arrested on Monday in connection with a collision that killed a 52-year-old pedestrian.
The victim, whose name has not been released, was walking in the area of La Habra and Harbor Boulevards when he was struck by a vehicle. The accident occurred at about 5:28 a.m. Friday. Paramedics attempted to save the man’s life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the accident to come forward. A semi-truck was seen near the crash site on a surveillance camera. Police believe that Preciado-Saldivar was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash.
Although California has legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older, it is still illegal to drive while under the influence. People who do so will face the same penalties as those arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that THC increases the chances of a crash 1.5 times. Studies have found that marijuana affects a person’s concentration and the perception of time and distance. This can lead to problems with controlling the vehicle’s speed, judging the distance between vehicles, and reading road signs accurately.
