A young man suspected in an alcohol-fueled collision just west of Temecula that killed a 15-year-old girl and injured five people was being held Monday in lieu of $75,000 bail.
Jose Alberto Zazueta, 19, of Fallbrook was arrested Saturday night on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and multiple allegations of DUI resulting in great bodily injury. He’s being held at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Zazueta was headed west on Rancho California Road, just east of Via Santa Rosa, shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday when he allegedly accelerated his 2015 BMW 328i to a speed in excess of 55 mph while rounding a curve on the two-lane road.
An 18-year-old Murrieta man, whose name was not released, was traveling eastbound at the posted 40 mph speed limit in his 2005 Toyota Corolla when he encountered the BMW veering into his lane, Officer Mike Lassig said.
“The driver of the Toyota was unable to take any evasive action as the left front of the BMW collided head-on into the right front of the Toyota,” Lassig said. “The collision caused the BMW to propel off the roadway and down an ascending embankment, where it came to rest on its roof. The collision propelled the Toyota in a westerly direction and into the westbound traffic lane.”
The 15-year-old girl in the right front passenger seat of the Corolla suffered major blunt force injuries and died at the scene, according to Lassig. Her name has not been released.
An 18-year-old man in the rear seat of the Toyota, along with the driver, were taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar for treatment of moderate to major injuries.
Zazueta was not hurt, but his three passengers suffered moderate injuries and were treated at Inland Valley Medical Center, according to Lassig.
The suspect has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.