Teen driver arrested for DUI in fatal five-car crash

Santa Maria police arrested a 19-year old driver in connection to a five-car crash that left one person dead.

Cristian Iban Rodriquez Carbajal faces DUI causing injury, reckless driving and vehicular manslaughter charges for Tuesday night’s crash at the intersection of McCoy and S. Broadway.

Police believe Carbajal ran a red light in his 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck as he traveled southbound on Broadway, causing the chain reaction crash. Investigators believe Carbajal was high on drugs at the time.

The crash happened at 7:26 p.m. Officers arrived on scene and found three people inside a 1997 Toyota Corolla with major injuries. Jade Marie Dodson, 18, died later at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital from her injuries. The 19-year-old driver of the Corolla was also transported to Cottage Hospital and remains in critical condition. A 7-year-old girl inside the car suffered a major cut to her head, but she is expected to recover.

Three other vehicles were also involved in the crash. However, no one inside those vehicles were hurt.

Carbajal’s bail is set at $1 million. Police want anyone who may have witnessed the actions of Carbajal’s truck just prior to the accident to call them.

Here is the entire press release issued by the Santa Maria police department:

SANTA MARIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

222 E. Cook Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454 – (805) 928-3781

NEWS MEDIA BRIEF Date: 06-19-13

CASE #: 2013-R06221

INCIDENT DATE: 06-18-13 TIME: 1926 hrs.

INCIDENT LOCATION: McCoy and S. Broadway

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Motor Vehicle Collision

***UPDATE***

Narrative: On Tuesday, 06-18-13 at about 1926 hrs. Officers responded to a five vehicle, injury traffic collision at the intersection of McCoy and S. Broadway. Upon arrival officers found that three occupants of a silver 1997 Toyota Corolla sustained major injuries and were later transported to Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara.

The driver of a black 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck also sustained minor injuries and was identified as Cristian Iban Rodriguez Carbajal, a 19 year old, a Santa Maria resident. Rodriguez was later arrested for DUI causing injury and reckless driving.

There were three other vehicles involved in the collision that sustained minor to major damage. None of those drivers or passengers were injured.

One of the passengers in the Toyota Corolla, Jade Marie Dodson (18 yrs.), died later at Cottage Hospital as a result of her injuries. The 19 yr. old male driver of that vehicle remains in critical condition at Cottage Hospital and a 7 yr. old child passenger was treated for a major laceration to her head; she is expected to recover.

Carbajal’s booking charges have been amended to reflect the additional charge of Vehicular Manslaughter, with bail being increased to $1,000,000. The cause of the collision has been determined to be Carbajal’s failure to stop for a red light as he was southbound on Broadway at McCoy. Drugs are suspected to be a factor in the cause of this collision. Anyone who may have witnessed the actions of Carbajal’s black pickup truck just prior to the collision is urged to contact the Santa Maria Police Department, as the investigation is continuing.

Name of Victim: Jade Marie Dodson Age: 18 yrs.

City of Residence: Santa Maria

Suspect(s): Yes No

The following subjects were arrested and booked for the listed charges at the Santa Barbara County Jail:

Cristian Iban Rodriguez Carbajal (19 yrs.)

23153(a) V.C. – Driving Under the Influence

23104 (b) V.C. – Reckless Driving

191.5 P.C. – Vehicluar Manslaughter

Booking Photo Available: Yes No SMPD: SBSO:

Investigating Officer: Ofc. Kline Supervisor Approval: Sgt. Jesus Valle

To report any information you may have regarding this incident, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-800-9100.