Man arrested on suspicion of murder after second fatal DUI crash

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A Lakewood man previously convicted on a felony drunk-driving charge after a fatal traffic collision was arrested on suspicion of murder after being involved in a second fatal crash while under the influence, authorities said.

Kenneth Blow Jr., 25, was taken into custody Monday in connection with a June 22 crash in San Bernardino County, the California Highway Patrol said. In addition to the murder allegations, he was booked on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence causing bodily injury, and vehicle theft.

Authorities said Blow was driving on State Route 330 near State Route 18 when his Ford Focus rolled, throwing a female passenger from the car, the CHP said. The woman later died of her injuries, and Blow was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The Mountain News identified the victim as Rebecca Leigh Green, 18, also of Lakewood. The newspaper reported that Blow and two other passengers were injured in the crash.

Investigators later determined Blow had been involved in another fatal collision in 2009 and was convicted of felony DUI. At his sentencing, CHP said, Blow was told he ‘could be tried for second-degree murder should he repeat the offense.’

Additional information about the 2009 crash was not immediately available.

San Bernardino County prosecutors then issued an arrest warrant, and Blow was arrested by a U.S. marshal-led task force at a Compton home. San Bernardino County jail records indicated he was due in court next week.

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— Kate Mather

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