Driver suspected of drunk driving arrested in fatal crash in Orange

A suspected drunk driver fled the scene of a fatal crash on the 55 Freeway in Orange early this morning, the California Highway Patrol said.

A Chevy Tahoe sport utility vehicle speeding northbound about 85 mph slammed into the back of a Toyota Avalon sedan about 1:20 a.m. near the Chapman Avenue exit, the CHP said. The SUV driver, whom authorities identified as Oscar Omar Guereca, reportedly ran from the scene but was arrested by Orange County sheriff's deputies after a short chase.

Guereca was arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving, vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run, the CHP said.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene; his identity was being withheld pending family notification.

Some lanes were closed for several hours while investigators examined the scene.

-- Jason Song

Comments

[Consumer's Report]

The Chevy is safer than a Toyota of the same price. Much safer, considering that the Chevy driver was able to get out and run, while the Toyota driver is going on a very different trip.

[Ken]

its not the car, its how u get hit.
just bad bad luck for the person that died.
no excuse for leaving the scene though.

[Are you serious]

Chevy vs Toyota? Are you kidding? The Tahoe was moving......the Toyota was not.....who do you think would get the worst of it? The safety of the vehicles had nothing to do with it. If that same Tahoe hit another Tahoe, both drivers are not just going to walk away. A very sad thing that happened indeed.