DUI charges filed in fatal crash

A Los Angeles man accused of killing his passenger in an alleged DUI crash south of Templin Highway was formally charged in court Tuesday.

Guadalupe Padilla Perez, 22, allegedly drove his 2016 Ford Focus southbound into oncoming traffic in the northbound lanes of the Interstate 5, south of Templin Highway, in the early-morning hours Saturday, according to California Highway Patrol officers with the Newhall-area Office, who are investigating the crash.

On Tuesday, prosecutors charged Padilla Perez with multiple counts related to the crash, according to Ricardo Santiago, spokesman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Padilla Perez was charged with one felony count each of: gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated; driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury; driving with a.08% blood alcohol content causing injury, with allegations causing great bodily injury; and one misdemeanor count of driving when privilege suspended or revoked for failing blood alcohol test.

The three occupants in the Honda Accord — three Chino Hills men in their 20s — all sustained injuries, with two of the passengers receiving treatment for serious injuries, according to the preliminary report of the crash.

Padilla Perez initially was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter DUI with gross negligence, according to Sheriff’s Department arrest records.

Padilla Perez is being held in lieu of $200,000 bail at the Santa Clarita station, according to Sheriff’s Department arrest records.