Fresno man killed in ATV crash in San Benito County, DUI arrest made
Nov 20, 2024
SAN BENITO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A Fresno man has died following a weekend crash involving an ATV in San Benito County, according to the California Highway Patrol. Officers say the driver of the vehicle was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The California Highway Patrol says 27-year-old Gabriel Lopez was driving the ATV on Sunday at around 6 p.m., going northbound on New Idria Rd south of milepost marker 107 13.31 at an unknown rate of speed.
Officers say Lopez failed to negotiate a turn in the roadway, causing his vehicle to travel off the road and crash into a large drainage ditch. The impact caused the vehicle to go airborne while rotating clockwise, before coming to rest on its wheels.
Lopez was transported by CHP helicopter to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno with moderate injuries.
The crash claimed the life of one passenger, identified by NBC-affiliate KSBW as 39-year-old David Muigia of Fresno. He was sitting in the left rear position in the ATV.
Two other passengers in the vehicle were also injured in the crash.
Gabriel Lopez was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and was later booked into the San Benito County Jail.