The California Highway Patrol arrested a woman for alleged drunk driving Thursday after a head-on crash in Pauma Valley left another person dead along State Route 76.
A 23-year-old woman was driving a Toyota Prius eastbound along SR-76 near Adams Road in unincorporated San Diego County when she crashed while attempting to pass other vehicles.
The driver reportedly veered into the westbound lane and crashed head-on into an Infiniti heading in the opposite direction, according to CHP.
A 43-year-old woman, identified a week later as Paula Napoli of Winchester, was behind the wheel of the Infiniti, accompanied by a 44-year-old woman from Simi Valley, officers said.
Firefighters pulled Napoli from the wreckage and attempted to resuscitate her at the nearby Pala Fire Station but their efforts were not successful and she was pronounced dead before she could be transported to a hospital, according to the Medical Examiner's Office.
The 44-year-old woman was taken to Palomar Medical Center for “precautionary measures,” CHP said. She is expected to make a full recovery.
CHP said the driver of the Prius was also taken to Palomar Medical Center with “moderate injuries.” The 23-year-old is from Temecula, officers confirmed.
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The SR-76 lanes experienced delays as crews cleared the area. All lanes were open by 12 a.m. Friday.
CHP and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office are investigating the incident.
No other information was available.
