Alcohol, noted de los Reyes, may have been a contributing factor in the crash. SPPD investigators received information from witnesses that the Mitsubishi was possibly involved in a “separate and distinct traffic collision, just prior to the fatality,” with a dark-colored sports car - a Chevrolet Camaro - that occurred near the 1200 block of East Harvard Boulevard.Lieutenant Carlos Juarez said SPPD investigators learned that Zuniga and Pena had been at Ruben’s Bar before the crash. When Pena regained consciousness at VCMC, “At first he didn’t even know his name,” which could be attributable to injuries he received in the collision as well as likely alcohol consumption.Zuniga reportedly struck two other vehicles before the SUV crashed near Santa Paula Motel. Although there are preliminary indications from witnesses that road rage or a race could have factored in the crash, the exact circumstances are still being determined, Juarez noted.Zuniga’s vehicle “must have been traveling at least 50 miles per hour” when it struck the utility pole and then the boulder, completely destroying the SUV. “I’m surprised,” noted Juarez, “that the passenger got out alive.”De los Reyes said any witnesses with information concerning the Chevrolet Camaro or the incident are “urged to contact the Santa Paula Police Department” at 525-4474.
Santa Paula man killed, passenger injured in solo Saturday crash
October 01, 2008
Santa Paula Police Department
A Santa Paula man was killed and a second man remains in critical condition after an early-morning weekend crash that has led to a search for a second vehicle that police were told by a witness might have been involved.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA Santa Paula man was killed and a second man remains in critical condition after an early-morning weekend crash that has led to a search for a second vehicle that police were told by a witness might have been involved. The September 27 accident occurred at about 2 a.m., according to Santa Paula Police Sergeant Joey de los Reyes.Shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday, “Numerous 911 calls from citizens reporting an accident in the 17000 block of East Telegraph Road” were received, and Officer Matt Alonzo was dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, Alonzo found a blue Mitsubishi Montero SUV involved in a solo traffic collision. “The Mitsubishi Montero came to a point of rest directly in front of 17905 E. Telegraph Road,” and contained two occupants.Santa Paula Fire and AMR Ambulance personnel also responded to the scene. AMR Ambulance paramedics pronounced the driver of the vehicle, 31-year-old Noe Alexander Zuniga, dead at the scene. The second occupant, Jose Pena, a 25-year-old resident of Santa Paula, was extricated by the SPFD using the Jaws of Life and was transported to Ventura County Medical Center.De los Reyes said the investigation points to the driver colliding head on “into a wooden power pole,” which was completely severed upon impact. “The momentum of the vehicle continued forward,” striking a decorative boulder on the side of the roadway. The large boulder was pushed about 10-feet by the force of the collision.
