More details released regarding councilwoman’s DUI

CALEXICO — California Highway Patrol issued a news release Tuesday revealing additional details regarding Calexico City Councilwoman Rose Fernandez’s car accident and DUI arrest Saturday morning.

Fernandez reportedly sustained moderate injuries, abrasions and a complaint of pain, and was transported to El Centro Regional Medical Center for medical attention.

Fernandez, 62, of Calexico, was reportedly driving approximately 70 to 80 miles per hour in the second lane of southbound State Route 111, north of McCabe road, prior to the collision.

Martin P. Pena, 52, of Imperial, was reportedly driving a 2008 Ford F-250 hauling a dump trailer at 45 miles per hour in the second lane of southbound SR-111 directly ahead of Fernandez.

As she traveled southbound, Fernandez allowed the front of her vehicle, a 2018 Honda HR-V, to collide with the dump trailer attached to Pena’s Ford.

The collision caused the Ford and the trailer to rotate in a counterclockwise manner.

Both the trailer and the Ford came to rest facing in a northeasterly direction within the southbound lanes SR-111 and McCabe, blocking both lanes.

Fernandez’s vehicle came to rest facing a southerly direction, partially blocking the first lane of southbound SR111 at McCabe.

Upon arrival, CHP officers located Pena outside the Ford. Fernandez was found seat-belted in the driver’s seat of the Honda.

Subsequent investigation indicated Fernandez was under the influence of alcohol, and she was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Pena was released at the scene with no reported injuries.

Both parties were using seat belts at the time of the collision, the news release stated.