Teen killed, 2 badly hurt in DUI crash into palm tree in Patterson

An early morning crash into a palm tree in Patterson left one teen dead and two others in the hospital with major injuries – and one of them facing charges.

The crash occurred about 2:40 Sunday morning on East Las Palmas Avenue west of Sycamore Avenue. Three 17-year-old Patterson boys were westbound in a 1998 Lexus at undetermined speed when the driver – because of his “high level of intoxication,” according to the California Highway Patrol – left the road and hit the tree.

The car overturned and came to rest upside down in the middle of the roadway.

One of the teens died of the injuries suffered in the crash. He was identified by the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office as Alexis Gomez-Morales.

The other two teens were taken to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto. Because of their ages, their names were not released.

The driver faces charges of driving under the influence, the CHP reports. Because of his age, no information on his blood alcohol level is being released, according to the CHP. Information on any other charges he may face in the fatal crash also was not available.

This story was originally published May 30, 2017 at 10:55 AM with the headline "Teen killed, 2 badly hurt in DUI crash into palm tree in Patterson."