An 18-year-old man whose car fatally crashed into another driver last week on state Route 56 had been arrested on the day of the collision, California Highway Patrol investigators said Tuesday.
Timothy Barnette (pictured below) was driving a Land Rover was traveling eastbound on SR-56 at an unknown speed when he drifted through the center media and struck a Scion in the farthest right-hand lane.
The driver of the Scion, 22-year-old Nick Hart, died as a result of his injuries from the crash.
CHP officials said Barnette was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. He was then released to the hospital for care because he suffered major injuries.
The CHP would not say what kind of drugs Barnette was allegedly using.
Investigators are also looking into manslaughter charges as recommendation to the district attorney’s office. They are waiting for toxicology results and talking to more witnesses as they try to comprehend Barnette’s actions leading up to crash.
