Youth and alcohol can often prove to be a deadly combination. This can be especially true when someone makes the poor decision to get behind the wheel after they’ve been drinking. They are a danger to themselves, their passengers, and anyone else who has the misfortune of being on the road at the same time.
KTLA reports that may have been what happened in a fatal crash over the weekend. A 22-year-old man is being held on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after one teen passenger was killed and another suffered major injuries.
According to the news release issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at approximately 4:20 a.m., a 2005 Nissan Sentra was traveling southbound on the 101 Freeway when the driver veered off the road, overturned, and rolled down an embankment.
Two teen girls aged 16 and 17 were also in the Nissan as passengers. Both teens were ejected from the vehicle
Emergency crews responded to the scene of the crash. The 16-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, while the 17-year-old girl was rushed to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of what officials described as major injuries.
Investigators say that neither girl had been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
CHP officers arrested the driver, Nelson Rivas of Oxnard, at the accident scene after he displayed symptoms of intoxication. He has been charged on suspicion of driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter.
A Ventura County judge set Rivas’ bond at $55,000.
The fatal crash is currently under investigation.
