LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – An early Saturday morning crash in the Cobb area injured seven people and resulted in two arrests, one for driving under the influence.
Jose A. Velazquez, 21, of Kelseyville, the driver of one of the two vehicles involved, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.
His passenger, Jorge A. Lozano, 21, also of Kelseyville, was arrested at the scene for obstructing a peace officer's investigation, providing false information to a peace officer and disorderly conduct, the CHP said.
At 1:45 a.m. Saturday, Velazquez was driving his silver 2003 Acura MDX, northbound on Highway 29, north of Highway 175 at approximately 50 miles per hour, while Yessica Patino, 23, of Clearlake was driving a gray 2017 Acura ILX southbound at approximately 55 miles per hour, the CHP said.
Due to Velazquez's level of intoxication, the CHP said Velazquez caused his Acura to cross the solid double yellow lines, into the southbound lane, and directly into the path of Patino's Acura.
The CHP said the front left of each vehicle collided in the southbound lane and Velazquez's Acura continued northbound and rolled over, coming to rest on its wheels on the east shoulder, facing a northerly direction.
Patino's Acura continued southbound, spinning in a counter clockwise direction, coming to rest on its wheels facing a northwesterly direction, the CHP said.
The CHP said Patino became trapped within the driver's seat of the vehicle and had to be extricated by South Lake County Fire and Cal Fire personnel, according to the CHP.
Patino, who the CHP said had minor injuries, and her passenger, 35-year-old Ismael Rodrigez of Clearlake, who had major injuries, were transported via air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
The CHP said that another of Patino’s passengers, Alexander Alcazar, 16, of Clearlake was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital with major injuries.
Patino’s other passengers, Edgar Perez Vazquez, 27, and Jose Armando, 22, both of Clearlake, had minor injuries, the CHP report said.
The CHP determined alcohol to be a factor in this collision and Velazquez was placed under arrest at the scene, along with Lozano. Both had minor injuries.
Both men were subsequently booked at the Lake County Jail, the CHP said. Jail records indicated that both have since posted bail and been released.
Based on the investigation, the CHP said Lozano, Patino and Rodriguez were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the wreck.
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