One hurt, one arrested in three-car crash near Newman

NEWMAN -- A three-car accident Thursday afternoon left a Gustine woman with serious injuries and a Newman man jailed on charges of driving under the influence and hit and run.

According to officer Matt Pinheiro of the Los Banos California Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at 4:05 p.m. on Highway 33 near Sanches Road between Newman and Gustine.

Julio Villarreal, 39, was driving a 2005 Honda Accord north on 33 when he crossed the center line and hit two oncoming cars, a Ford Explorer driven by Alahmed Abdulhreem, 27, of Newman and a 2005 GMC Yukon driven by Pamela Gonzales, 55, of Gustine.

Pinheiro said investigators had not determined which vehicle the Honda hit first.

Villarreal drove away, but was stopped shortly after at Inyo Avenue and Canal School Road. Officers evaluated Villarreal and found him to be under the influence of alcohol, Pinheiro said.

He was booked into Sandy Mush Correctional Facility on charges of driving under the influence and felony hit and run. Abdulhreem suffered minor injuries; Gonzales had major injuries and was airlifted to a Modesto hospital.