Blood-alcohol tests of one of the motorists involved in an
accident on Airline Highway that sent five people to the hospital
earlier this month were still pending, according to the California
Highway Patrol.
”
It takes a while to get the results because it happened in San
Benito County and the tests have to go to Watsonville,
”
said CHP Officer Teri Neidigh.
Blood-alcohol tests of one of the motorists involved in an accident on Airline Highway that sent five people to the hospital earlier this month were still pending, according to the California Highway Patrol.
“It takes a while to get the results because it happened in San Benito County and the tests have to go to Watsonville,” said CHP Officer Teri Neidigh.
Felipe Serna was driving a 1987 Honda Civic when, according to the CHP, he pulled out in front of a southbound Ford Mustang near the entrance to the Bolado Park Golf Course on Aug. 4. A preliminary alcohol screening device taken at the scene detected a presence of alcohol and there were objective symptoms of intoxication, said CHP Officer Terry Mayes.
“There was an odor of an alcoholic beverage and the passenger of the Civic said they had been drinking, but didn’t indicate where they had the drinks,” Mayes said.
The crash, which involved Serna, his passenger, Jeremiah Martinez and the Ford with three juveniles, sent all five people to the hospital where they were treated and later released.
Martinez suffered cuts to his left arm and left leg and the right side of his cheek was bruised and swollen, Mayes said.
The female driver of the Ford suffered an open fracture to her right leg, while the other two passengers, one female and one male, sustained minor injuries.
No one was ejected from either vehicle, as was previously speculated, because the safety equipment in both cars was deployed, Mayes said.
The CHP has said Serna was at fault because he did not have the right of way when he pulled out in front of the Ford, Mayes said.
“When the blood results come back, the report will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office for filing,” Mayes said.
