Fatal Crash Suspect Booked in Lynwood

POMONA (CNS) - A woman was booked today on suspicion of drunk driving and manslaughter after allegedly losing control of her car and hitting several parked vehicles on a street in Pomona, killing one passenger and injuring three others, police said.

Raelene Martinez, 20, was booked into the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood at 3 a.m., with her bail set at $100,000. She was set to appear in Pomona Superior Court Tuesday, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff inmate records.

Martinez was arrested Sunday morning on suspicion of drunken driving, causing a death and manslaughter after losing control of her car, hitting several parked vehicles and rolling over. She lost control of her Toyota Camry in the 1500 block of northbound North San Antonio Avenue at 1:38 a.m. Sunday, struck parked vehicles and rolled over, said Pomona police Sgt. Christian Hsu.

Sarena Vargas, 19, was killed in the crash, said coroner's Lt. Joe Bale, who added an autopsy could be held Tuesday at the earliest. According to some news reports, she was from Upland.

Three men inside the Toyota were injured and rushed to a hospital, where their injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, the sergeant said.

"Martinez was also injured as a result of the collision,'' Hsu said, adding that she was treated at a local hospital and that there was evidence at the scene to suggest she was under the influence of alcohol while driving.

Abraham Batres had just parked and left his black 2000 Toyota Corolla in the 1600 block of San Antonio Avenue. He came out after hearing the crash to find the front bumper, hood, lights and window smashed.

"A citizen was helping people out of the vehicle, in case it caught fire,'' Batres said. He is certified to perform CPR, so he tried to help the woman who lay motionless on the ground. "She was unresponsive, so I called 9-1-1.''

He said three young men were out of the vehicle walking and it appeared a woman had been driving. "They were all just hugging each other, crying -- it was all chaotic,'' Batres said.

Bates' friend's 90s model red Ford Thunderbird, parked behind his car, was "totaled'' by the dark sedan that rolled over between their cars and a
fence, he said.

From City News Service

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