According to Kristina Davis of the Union-Tribune, Sarah Garcia, 21, and a Marine were killed in a sequence of crashes on Interstate 15 on October 11, 2009. Several others were injured. The CHP suspects that a drunken driver was involved.
At 4 a.m. on northbound I-15 near Gopher Canyon Road, a 29-year-old Chula Vista man driving a Volvo rear-ended a Jeep Cherokee. The Jeep spun out of control but the accident was minor. Authorities said fatigue was a factor in the collision.
The Jeep’s driver and passengers, Marines from Twentynine Palms, got out and stood on the right shoulder to survey the damage. Moments later, a Chevrolet Cavalier crashed into the damaged Jeep. CHP Officer Eric Newbury stated that the Jeep was partially sticking out in the traffic lane.
The impact knocked one Marine off the freeway, down an embankment and onto Gopher Canyon Road below. As other Marines rushed to his aid, the driver of the Cavalier and his passenger ran away, Newbury said. The Marine who was knocked off the freeway died at a hospital. His name was not released. Three other Marines were treated at a hospital for minor injuries.
Soon after, Sarah Garcia, driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, crashed into the abandoned Cavalier. The Grand Cherokee veered off the right shoulder and tumbled down two embankments. Sarah Garcia was also killed.
Oscar Tinoco, 18, of Quail Valley, and his 17-year-old passenger were caught by CHP officers. Tinoco was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony driving under the influence and felony hit and run.
