Three Mantecans killed in suspected DUI crash
FREMONT — A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following a five-vehicle crash that killed three Manteca residents, including two girls.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the collision happened about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on northbound Interstate 880, near Stevenson Boulevard. Dang Nguyen Hai Tran of San Jose has since been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana.
A preliminary investigation indicates Tran was northbound on Interstate 880 in a 2002 Toyota Camry when he moved over to the left lane and crashed into a 2015 Cadillac Escalade, the CHP reported. The collision caused the Camry to veer left and the Escalade to overturn.
The Escalade sustained major rollover damage and four passengers were ejected from the SUV, according to authorities. Three people in the Escalade died at the scene.
The Alameda County Coroner's Office identified the victims as 9-year-old Brooke Limas, 14-year-old Christy Limas and Noelle Johnson, 39, all of Manteca.
Brooke Limas and Christy Limas were Manteca Unified School District students.
CHP said the four people thrown from the SUV did not appear to have been wearing their seat belts.
After the Camry crashed into the Escalade, the sedan continued out of control and crashed into a 2005 Honda. The Escalade went in the opposite direction and collided with a Toyota Corolla, which then crashed into a 2013 Hyundai, the CHP reported.
Five people, four of whom were children, were also injured in the collision and taken to a hospital, according to the CHP. One of the victims was in critical condition.
“Last night, a driver under the influence of marijuana was involved in a traffic collision which resulted in the senseless deaths of three members of the Bay Area community, two of whom were children,” said Ernie Sanchez, CHP's Golden Gate Division chief.
Manteca Unified said counselors will be at the schools to offer support and advised parents to contact a teacher, counselor or administrative staff if they have any concerns about their child's reaction to this incident.