One dead, six injured in DUI crash in Atwater, police say

One man was killed and six other people, including three children, were injured Sunday in a drunken-driving collision on Bellevue Road in Atwater, police said.

Carlos Espinoza, 25, died at a Modesto hospital. Jorge Paz, 24, who was in the car with Espinoza, suffered major head injuries and was taken to a Modesto hospital. He remained hospitalized Monday, but is expected to recover, police Lt. Samuel Joseph told the Sun-Star.

Both men were ejected from the vehicle, a 1992 Ford Mustang, when the crash occurred around 9 p.m. in the area of Bellevue Road and Alabama Street, police said.

The Mustang collided with a 2007 Honda Accord, driven by Gustavo Torres, 33. Torres, his wife, Maria, 34, and their three children – ages 1, 5, and 9 – sustained minor injuries. They are expected to make full recoveries, police said.

Joseph said Paz appears to have been drinking alcoholic beverages prior to the crash. Paz’s blood-alcohol level was reported at 0.16 percent, twice the legal limit, officers said.

Police believe Paz may have been driving the Mustang, but said the investigation was still in its early stages. Investigators were not able to immediately collect any evidence to determine whether Espinoza had also been drinking.

Officers said the Mustang was headed north on Alabama Street and apparently failed to stop at a stop sign. The vehicle turned east onto Bellevue Road, into the oncoming lane of traffic, and struck the side of the Honda.

Espinoza and Paz were both ejected from the Mustang. The Honda veered off the road and onto a sidewalk. Both vehicles had major damage, police said.

Police confirmed they will send the case to the Merced County District Attorney’s Office, seeking criminal charges against Paz for gross vehicular manslaughter, felony drunken driving, traffic violations and driving on a suspended license.

This story was originally published May 18, 2015 at 8:11 AM with the headline "One dead, six injured in DUI crash in Atwater, police say."