Two arrested on suspicion of DUI after Highway 101 accident Sunday

 Posted on November 11, 2011 in DUI

Three Gavilan College basketball players were injured in a tragic accident Sunday. Reports indicate that the driver of the car filled with the ball players and two female passengers swerved to avoid a tire in the road just prior to the crash. The car spun out and came to a stop facing the wrong direction on Highway 101. A Nissan then slammed head-on into the student's car.

Reports indicate that the group of students was at a San Francisco nightclub before the 1:30 a.m. traffic accident. Police reportedly arrested the 22-year-old student who was driving the car that initially spun out on suspicion of driving under the influence before he was released to San Francisco General Hospital, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP suggests that the young man could face felony DUI charges related to the traffic accident, apparently based upon the injuries involved. California law allows prosecutors to pursue felony DUI charges, even on a first-time offense, based upon allegations that a drunk driver was involved in an accident causing injuries. The driver and two of his teammates suffered serious injuries when the car they were in was struck by the Nissan. Two women, who were passengers in the Nissan, reportedly sustained minor injuries.

Initial police reports apparently list the player accused of DUI as a pedestrian in the accident involving the Nissan. Sources suggest the student who was allegedly driving the car that initially spun out avoiding a tire in the road must have stepped out of the vehicle before the Nissan slammed into the stopped car.

The Morgan Hill Times reports that the results of toxicology tests taken at the hospital after the student was arrested on suspicion of DUI have not been officially released. However, the newspaper reports that sources indicate the driver's toxicology tests came back negative.

Ultimately it will be up to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office whether or not to file any charges against the student related to the allegations.

The Morgan Hill Times reports the driver of the Nissan, a man from San Jose, was also severely injured in the head-on accident. Apparently, the driver of the Nissan was also arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. He was taken Sanford Medical Center after the accident, according to the CHP.

Source: Morgan Hill Times, "Gav basketball player on life support, others injured after car wreck Sunday," Nov. 9, 2011