Drunk, Wrong-way Driver Kills Three, Injures Four
June 24, 2009
Fresno – Three passengers were killed Wednesday after their vehicle was involved in a head-on collision caused by a wrong-way driver who was allegedly drunk, the California Highway Police said.
Willie Rivera Jr., 32, was heading west on an eastbound lane around 9:30 pm when he sideswiped a Ford pickup before hitting the Honda Civic wherein three passengers were killed. A Daewoo also got involved in the crash near the intersection of Armstrong and Jensen avenues.
The deceased were identified as Fresno locals Virginia Garcia, 21, Francisco Magana, 20, and Vivian Garcia, 14.
The driver of the Civic, Sergio Barrera Jr., 21, was taken to Community Regional Medical Center after sustaining serious injuries. The driver of the Ford pick-up, his passenger, and the driver of the Daewoo all sustained minor injuries.
Rivera was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.
OFFICE ADDRESS
