Suspected DUI driver on I-80 kills Dixon woman, 47, injuring self, others

Coroner IDs victim as Julie Phillips, killed on westbound I-80 early Sunday

A 47-year-old Dixon woman died and three others were injured early Sunday morning when standing outside her vehicle after she stopped to help others involved in a collision on westbound Interstate 80 in Dixon, she was struck by another vehicle that drove into the collision scene, its driver suspected of DUI, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The Solano County Coroner on Monday identified the woman as Julie Phillips. She died at the collision site shortly after 2:30 a.m., Officer David Harvey, the public information officer for CHP-Solano, said in a press release.

According to a prepared statement, “At 2:38 a.m., a black Mazda CX5 was traveling at a high rate of speed and rearended a silver Hyundai Elantra west of Dixon Avenue. The Mazda came to rest, blocking lanes. Several witnesses stopped at the scene to assist those involved,” noted Harvey.

But at 2:41 a.m., a red Toyota Tacoma, driven by Mason Wessel, 29, of San

Francisco, drove into the collision scene and collided with a silver Toyota Prius. The Tacoma continued forward and collided with the Mazda and its driver, who was standing outside of the vehicle. The Tacoma continued forward and collided with Phillips, who had stopped to help.

The driver of the Mazda, Larry Bowie, 31, of Vallejo, sustained major injuries and was to Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center. The driver of the Prius, Karen Maduena, 26, of Suisun City, sustained minor injuries and also was taken to the Kaiser facility in Vacaville.

Harvey said alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the collision, and Wessel, who suffered major injuries and also was taken to the Kaiser facility in Vacaville, was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI.

Those who may have witnessed the collision are asked to contact CHP Officer Eduardo Padilla with any information, telephone (707) 428-2100.