Paulino Hilario De Los Santos, 33, and Alberto Martinez Garcia, 17, both Watsonville residents, died in the head-on collision.
Moss Landing, CA – The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has identified two people who died in a suspected DUI collision that happened Saturday night on State Route 1 in Moss Landing.
Paulino Hilario De Los Santos, 33, and Alberto Martinez Garcia, 17, both Watsonville residents, died in the head-on collision.
The crash occurred around 10:18 p.m., May 2, on SR-1 near Springfield Road.
The California Highway Patrol – Monterey Office had previously reported that three people were killed in the accident, but later reported that two people died.
A preliminary investigation revealed that 51-year-old David Olaeta was driving a GMC pickup truck southbound on SR-1 when he veered across the double yellow lines and sideswiped a Ford pickup truck traveling northbound.
The GMC then continued southbound in the northbound lane and collided head-on with a Honda sedan that was traveling behind the Ford.
The Honda was occupied by De Los Santos, Garcia and another person. All were taken to the hospital, where the two of them later died. The third victim remained in critical condition.
Olaeta was arrested after showing signs of intoxication. He was taken to the hospital with what was believed to be serious injuries. He was later booked into the Monterey County Jail on charges including DUI causing injury and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. His bail was set at $600,000.
A 58-year-old woman in the Ford was hospitalized with unknown injuries, while three other occupants in the same vehicle were not hurt.
Authorities continue to investigate the accident.