KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A Lucerne man has been arrested for felony drunk driving and hit-and-run causing injury following a single-vehicle wreck on Wednesday that injured him and his four passengers, one of them seriously.
The California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office reported that 28-year-old Christopher Zambrano was taken into custody Wednesday night, less than two hours after the wreck, which occurred at approximately 7:18 p.m. on Highway 29 south of Cruickshank Road in Kelseyville.
Zambrano was driving his 1995 Ford Explorer southbound on Highway 29 with four passengers, who the CHP identified as Troy Bailey, 22, of Clearlake; Adam Dixon, 21, of Lucerne; John Pommier, 22, of Upper Lake; and William McLeanstith, 22, of Lucerne.
For reasons that investigators have not yet determined, Zambrano – who was driving at an unknown speed – lost control of the Ford, which rolled at least once, coming to rest back on its wheels, the CHP said.
Pommier suffered major injuries, including head trauma. The CHP said it has not yet been determined if Pommier – who was not wearing a seat belt – was ejected during the rollover or if he jumped from the vehicle before the crash occurred.
After the crash, Zambrano fled the scene in his vehicle with his remaining three passengers, leaving Pommier behind, the CHP said.
Zambrano drove northbound on Highway 29, stopping just north of Live Oak Drive. There, after he stopped, the CHP said he and his passengers got into an argument.
The CHP said the three passengers subsequently fled on foot before law enforcement arrived. They were found later off of Live Oak Drive, near the CHP office.
Alcohol appeared to be a factor in the crash, which the CHP said led to Zambrano's arrest. He was booked into the Lake County Jail late Wednesday, with bail set at $50,000.
Additionally, Bailey was arrested for trespassing, public intoxication and resisting arrest, the CHP said.
Three of the vehicle's five occupants appeared to have been wearing seat belts, the CHP said. However, the CHP only identified Zambrano and McLeanstith as having worn their seat belts, with the agency so far unable to confirm if Bailey and Dixon had.
Zambrano had minor injuries, including lacerations to his head, arms and hands, the CHP said. Bailey had minor cuts, Dixon had cuts on his face arms and hands, and McLeanstith suffered arm and hand lacerations. They were treated at the scene.
CHP Officer Kory Reynolds said Pommier was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital by REACH air ambulance for treatment of his injuries.
As of Thursday morning, Pommier was reported to be in stable condition, Reynolds said.
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