A motorist with three prior convictions was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving for allegedly triggering a two-vehicle crash in Dana Point that killed an 88-year-old man, authorities said Saturday.
The crash occurred at about 6:15 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Golden Lantern and Stonehill Drive and involved a Land Rover SUV and a Ford Transit van, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reported.
“The Land Rover was traveling westbound on Stonehill Drive and turned left against a red arrow signal in front of the Ford Transit van traveling eastbound on Stonehill Drive,” authorities said.
Melvin Joseph Weibel of Dana Point, who was a passenger inside the transit van, was pronounced dead at the scene. Paramedics rushed the driver of the van to a hospital, where he was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to sheriff’s officials.
The driver of the Land Rover, Serene Francie Rosenberg, 48, of Dana Point, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence with three prior convictions and booked into the Orange County Jail for murder and DUI causing injury, the department said.
Authorities urged anyone with information regarding the crash to call them at 949-425-1860. Anonymous tips can be made through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227.