A single vehicle collision on Highway 99 claimed the life of a 38-year-old Turlock man early on Wednesday morning and the driver is now facing manslaughter charges.
Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office has identified the deceased as Raul Esquivel Jr., 38, of Turlock.
The collision occurred at approximately 3 a.m. on Highway 99 just north of the Fulkerth Road, when the driver lost control of the vehicle, with the vehicle eventually rolling.
The driver, Kathryn Esquivel, 37, was traveling southbound on Highway 99 when she lost control of the BMW and collided into the concrete center divider, according to the California Highway Patrol collision report.
Kathryn Esquivel continued traveling southwest where she ran off the road and overturned the vehicle.
The collision was caused due to the driver’s “level of intoxication,” according to the CHP report.
Kathryn Esquivel was arrested for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI with injury, and driving with a suspended license. She is being held at the Stanislaus County Jail on $100,000 bail.
According to CHP, Raul Esquivel was in the front passenger seat and not wearing a seatbelt. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel.
The driver was wearing a seatbelt and complained of stomach pain following the collision. A third vehicle occupant, Javier Esquivel, 30, who was in back and wearing a seatbelt, complained of chest pain.
