Collision kills one, injures five

April 27, 2009

Fresno, CA – One died and five were injured after being involved in a collision near Tranquility in western Fresno County Sunday.

The accident happened just before 9:30 p.m. when Jose Juarez, 23, who was allegedly drunk, was driving northbound on Colorado Avenue north of Morton Avenue when he encountered a slower vehicle, applied his brakes, lost control and swerved into the oncoming lane.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the right side of the 1999 GMC driven by Juarez was hit by a 1994 Ford driven by Eduardo Arredondo, 32, pinning Juarez and two of his passengers.

Juarez and the two passengers, whose identity has not been released, were airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center, where one died.

Arredondo and one of his passengers, a 3-year-old girl, suffered minor injuries while his other passenger, Claudia Arrigua, 23, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Community Regional Medical Center.

Juarez was arrested by the CHP on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony drunk driving.