According to the Oxnard Police Department, the accident took place around 10:52 p.m. on September 3, 2026, at West Fifth Street and Portofino Place.
Oxnard, CA – 52-year-old Sergio Martinez died, and 34-year-old Maria Cortez was hospitalized after a DUI collision that happened Thursday night at an intersection in Oxnard.
According to the Oxnard Police Department, the accident took place around 10:52 p.m. on September 3, 2026, at West Fifth Street and Portofino Place.
Patrol officers responded to the intersection after they were notified about the collision and found a 2003 Toyota Corolla and a 2015 Dodge Charger with moderate crash damage.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Cortez was driving the Dodge westbound on Fifth Street and Martinez was driving the Toyota through an industrial park in the 3400 block of West Fifth Street. Martinez exited the industrial park and entered Fifth Street without yielding to Cortez, resulting in a broadside collision.
Cortez was taken to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.
Oxnard PD said Martinez was not injured and refused medical attention. Police officers noticed he displayed signs of intoxication and arrested him. The driver was then transported by ambulance to St. John’s Regional Medical Center, where he complained of pain while in the emergency room. A short time later, Martinez became unresponsive and lost consciousness. He later died around 1:42 a.m. on Friday, September 4.
Oxnard PD’s Traffic Investigations Unit and the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating the crash.