Driver Arrested Following Fatal Collision On Highway 1 Near Piedras Blancas
LATEST DETAILS
The California Highway Patrol has identified the victim killed in a crash on Highway 1 near Piedras Blancas on Wednesday as 71-year-old Charles Wegener of Kailua, Hawaii.
The CHP says 57-year-old German Castro from El Salvador allowed his car to drift directly into the lane Wegener was driving in resulting in a head-on collision.
Wegener’s passenger was taken to Sierra Vista Hospital with moderate injuries. Castro suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Sierra Vista Hospital. His two passengers suffered minor and major injuries and were also taken to Sierra Vista Hospital.
Although the investigation is still ongoing, CHP Public Information Officer Patrick Seebart told KCOY 12 that Castro was placed under arrest for vehicular manslaughter.
Castro posted bail and is expected in court in late July. Neither alcohol or drugs appear to the a factor in the collision.
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ORIGINAL STORY
Emergency crews are on scene of a fatal head-on traffic collision on state Route 1 near Piedras Blancas just north of Hearst Castle.
The collision was reported just before 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The California Highway Patrol is on scene and says all lanes were blocked due to the crash.
Highway 1 lanes have opened to traffic around 4 p.m. Motorists should expect delays.
CHP says its officers are reporting two minor injuries, two major injuries and one fatality.
CHP Public Information Officer Patrick Seebart tells KCOY 12 that a witness on scene told officers the two vehicles were traveling in opposite directions at the time of the collision, but for unknown reasons one of the vehicles crossed over the yellow line.
No other details were immediately available. We will update this story as new information comes into our newsroom.
