San Diego DUI Crash On I-805 Kills Marine
In San Diego, on the I-805 on Monday, a Marine from Camp Pendleton was killed when the driver of the pickup he had been riding in rammed into a tow truck at Interstate 8.
Authorities said that there was suspicion that the driver of the pickup was drunk while he was driving and arrested at the scene. The victim, whose name has not yet been released, was a passenger of the San Diego drunk driver riding in a black Ford Ranger. According to the California Highway Patrol, Joel Thomas Toovey, 19, the drunken driver, was on the I-805 bridge heading north over the I-8 early Monday morning around 2:30 a.m. when he lost control of his pickup, spun out and struck the tow truck that was pulled over on the right shoulder. The nineteen year old victim died at the scene.
According to CHP officer Art Athans, Toovey, who is a resident of El Cajon as well as a Camp Pendleton Marine, was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and vehicular manslaughter. Toovey was taken to the hospital after suffering from major injuries and broken bones in the crash. The results of the driver’s blood test could take up to several weeks where investigators will turn over the report to the District Attorney’s Office where charges will be filed.
The driver of the tow truck had some minor injuries where he was being treated at the hospital. During the investigation, the I-805 ramp to the eastbound I-8 was closed for several hours.
Marine Killed in Suspected DUI Crash On I-805, Sign on San Diego, January 4, 2011
California DMV on California laws regarding driving while under the influence
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