San Luis Obispo, CA : Teen killed in one of two alleged DUI crashes on the Cuesta Grade on Friday night, April 15, 2016

A 16-year-old Wasco girl was killed Friday night in one of two Cuesta Grade crashes involving drivers suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Both collisions involved multiple vehicles and occurred on southbound Highway 101, just south of TV Tower Road, according to a CHP news release and Sgt. Eric Martinez.

Officers are still investigating to determine whether the first, fatal accident contributed to the second, less serious crash.

Teen passenger killed in three-vehicle collision

The first crash occurred around 8:30 p.m.Gino Lopez, 21, of Arvin was allegedly driving his 1994 Honda Civic at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a metal guardrail and tractor-trailer combination. Besides the 16-year-old girl who was killed, his passengers included 19-year-old Brittany Arreola and 18-year-old Henry Aguilar, all of Wasco.

Geneva Vanbeurd, 62, of San Luis Obispo then crashed into the Honda in his 2016 Volvo, causing the 16 year old to be ejected from the vehicle and sustain fatal injuries.

The victim's name is not being released at this time, Martinez said.

Although Lopez is thought to have been wearing a seat belt, Martinez said, the 16-year-old and the other two passengers were not.

After the crash, Lopez and Aguilar exited the Honda for unknown reasons, Martinez said. A northbound CHP officer discovered the two about 500 feet from the scene of the accident. CHP said on its incident report Friday night that two suspects were seen throwing beer bottles out of the car, but Martinez could not confirm that Saturday morning.

Arreola sustained major injuries and was transported to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo. She was listed as being in critical condition in the hospital's intensive care unit on Saturday morning, said spokesman Ron Yukelson.

Aguilar and Lopez received treatment there for non-life threatening injuries.

Vanbeurd was taken to French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo where he was treated for minor injuries. The tractor-trailer driver was not thought to have sustained any injuries, Martinez said.

Lopez was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and will be booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail upon his release from the hospital, Martinez said.

The incident remains under investigation.

Arroyo Grande woman arrested on suspicion of DUI after four-vehicle crash

The second crash occurred around 9 p.m., behind the scene of the first accident.

Lindsay Byers, 38, of Arroyo Grande was driving a silver Honda CR-V when she was involved in a rear-end collision with three other vehicles, Martinez said.

A Toyota Sienna minivan and GMC Sierra and Toyota Tacoma trucks were also involved in the crash. Only minor injuries were reported, Martinez said.

Byers was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. She was being held in jail on $100,000 bond as of Saturday morning.

Source :
Honda Motor : Teen killed in one of two alleged DUI crashes on the Cuesta Grade