18-year-old DUI driver arrested in Calaveras County crash that kills 13-year-old, hurts 5 others, CHP says
An 18-year-old woman suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol was arrested following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 49 in Calaveras County Sunday that killed a 13-year-old and hurt five others, the California Highway Patrol said.
The collision between a Ford F-150 and a Ford Escape happened after 4 p.m. along the highway south of Deer Creek Road.
The F-150’s driver, Savannah Cooper, of Angels Camp, had driven onto the shoulder and then lost control of her vehicle, CHP said. The vehicle crossed into the path of the Escape, hitting it on its right side.
A 13-year-old girl who was a passenger in the Escape died. The vehicle’s driver, a 65-year-old man, suffered major injuries. Other passengers in the car with major injuries also included a 52-year-old woman, a 13-year-old boy, and an 11-year-old boy. Everyone in the Escape is from Sonora. They were taken to various hospitals.
Cooper was taken to Doctor’s Memorial Center in Modesto to be treated for moderate injuries. Another passenger in her car, a 17-year-old, was also taken to the hospital.
Everyone involved was wearing a seat belt, CHP said.
The collision is still under investigation.