Investigations into Monday’s Airline Highway collision reveal
the driver of one of the vehicles involved was drinking and
driving, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Felipe Serna, 30, of San Juan Bautista, was legally intoxicated
while driving his 1987 Honda Civic when he pulled out in front of a
southbound Ford Mustang, said CHP Officer T.R. Hester. Serna’s
blood was tested, but his blood alcohol level is
”
still up in the air,
”
Hester said.
Investigations into Monday’s Airline Highway collision reveal the driver of one of the vehicles involved was drinking and driving, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Felipe Serna, 30, of San Juan Bautista, was legally intoxicated while driving his 1987 Honda Civic when he pulled out in front of a southbound Ford Mustang, said CHP Officer T.R. Hester. Serna’s blood was tested, but his blood alcohol level is “still up in the air,” Hester said.
The Mustang’s driver, a juvenile from Hollister whose name is not being released due to age, was unable to stop in time, subsequently hitting the front passenger’s side of the Civic, sending both cars careening down embankments on opposite sides of the highway.
“The Mustang slid about three-quarters down the embankment through brush and trees on the south side of Bolado Road,” Hester said. “The Honda ended up three-quarters down an embankment on the golf course side of Bolado Road.”
No one was ejected from the Ford, however, one person may have been ejected from the Honda, Hester said. The issue is still under investigation.
Serna was sent to the an Jose Medical Center with moderate injuries, while his passenger, Jeremiah Martinez, 20 of San Juan Bautista, was also sent to San Jose with moderate injuries. His blood alcohol level was not tested.
The driver of the Ford was sent to Hazel Hawkins Hospital with severe injuries, the CHP reported, while the two passengers were sent to Hazel Hawkins Hospital with moderate injuries. All three occupants are 17 year olds from Hollister.
The collision shut down Airline Highway for at least an hour after the 5:50 p.m. accident.
CHP is still investigating the accident. Any witnesses are urged to call Hester at
408-848-2324.
