Wrong-Way Driver Causes Fatal Crash In Victorville
VICTORVILLE (CBS/AP) — Authorities say a man drove the wrong way on the 15 Freeway Saturday morning before causing a deadly head-on collision.
Saturday morning's crash on Interstate 15 in Victorville shut down all but one lane of the freeway, causing traffic to back up for miles.
The collision occurred around 7:30 Saturday morning near Bear Valley Road.
Earlier reports said the driver was in his 80s. But the California Highway Patrol told the Victorville Daily Press that 33-year-old Ilich Ernest Vargas of Phelan drove the wrong way for at least six miles -- often going as fast as 100 mph -- before colliding with a Mazda sedan.
A woman passenger in Vargas' car died at the scene, while Vargas and the Mazda driver suffered non-life threatening injuries. Vargas reportedly suffered a broken leg in the crash.
The CHP said Vargas fought with rescuers and had to be subdued with a stun gun. He was arrested for being under the influence and causing a major-injury collision.
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