A Hollister woman was arrested after what police believe was an
alcohol-related accident Thursday night on Highway 156 in which a
motorcyclist was killed and a second driver was injured.
Hollister – A Hollister woman was arrested after what police believe was an alcohol-related accident Thursday night on Highway 156 in which a motorcyclist was killed and a second driver was injured.
Dolores Ortiz Garcia, 38, was booked Friday morning into the San Benito County Jail and charged with felony driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter in the death of Richard Flores, 53, of Lompoc. She remains in custody in lieu of $115,680 bond, according to jail personnel.
Garcia was transported to Hazel Hawkins Hospital with cuts to her nose and face and complaining of back pain. There she submitted to a blood alcohol test, and results are pending. But California Highway Patrol Officer Chris Gallegos said officers believe they had enough evidence for the preliminary charge.
“The officer determined she was under the influence,” Gallegos said. “That she had been drinking.”
The accident occurred about 9:30pm, just west of Union Road.
Flores was riding westbound on his 2004 Harley-Davidson at an unknown rate of speed near Union Road when Garcia allowed her eastbound 1993 Toyota Corolla to drift into oncoming traffic, colliding with the motorcycle head-on, according to Gallegos.
The collision ejected Flores from his motorcycle, severing a leg. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Gallegos said.
After hitting Flores, Garcia kept driving and hit Salinas resident Miguel Arias Lopez, 27, who was driving a 2003 Nissan Altima behind Flores, Gallegos said.
Lopez, who police determined had been traveling around 50mph, tried to avoid hitting Garcia by swerving to the right, but was unable to do so and collided with the right front portion of Garcia’s car, Gallegos said.
Lopez complained of pain to his foot and back and was transported by ambulance to Hazel Hawkins, according to Gallegos.
Although Gallegos did not know how long traffic was backed up due to the collision, initial reports in the Free Lance stated traffic was backed up in both directions, with the east bound lane backed up nearly to San Juan Bautista, a distance of nearly seven miles.
Further investigation is pending.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
