Update: Fatal crash on Claribel east of Riverbank injures 7, results in DUI arrest
One person was killed and seven others were injured in a two-car collision Saturday night east of Riverbank, according to the Modesto Fire Department. The California Highway Patrol arrested a driver on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.
The crash occurred about 10:10 p.m. at Claribel and Langworth roads. The intersection is a four-way stop.
According to a news release, the CHP investigation found that Nicolas Villela IV, age 19 and from Modesto, was westbound on Claribel, approaching Langworth at high speed. He was driving a 2012 Nissan sedan.
Driver Deborah Mendez, 19, of Riverbank, was going north on Langworth in a 2019 Chevrolet sedan. She had just stopped at the sign and was proceeding through the intersection when she was broadsided by Villela, who failed to stop at his sign.
Both vehicles then struck a power pole and came to rest west of the intersection, on the north shoulder of Claribel.
The initial collision killed Mendez’s right front seat passenger, a 20-year-old Oakdale woman whose name was withheld pending notification of family.
Mendez suffered major injuries and was taken by Oak Valley Ambulance to Doctors Medical Center for treatment. She had a broken pelvis, fractured rib and internal injuries, CHP Modesto office spokesman Officer Thomas Olsen said Sunday afternoon.
Villela had five passengers in his car, a few of them not wearing seat belts. They suffered minor to major injuries.
Villela had abrasions to his face and left shoulder, the latter of which might be seat-belt rash, Olsen said. He also complained of back pain.
After being treated at Memorial Medical Center, Villela was booked into the Public Safety Center.
In addition to DUI and manslaughter, he faces a misdemeanor charge of battery on an officer, Olsen said. Villela was uncooperative during his arrest and dug his fingernails into an officer’s hand, breaking skin, Olsen said.
Villela’s passenger, Ivan Villela, 18 and from Modesto, was not wearing a seat belt. He suffered major injuries, including a broken right arm and lacerations to his left hand, Olsen said. He was taken to Kaiser hospital in Modesto.
Passenger Chloe Songmouan, 18 of Modesto, also was not seat-belted. She suffered lacerations to the head and said she lost consciousness, Olsen said. She was taken by Patterson ambulance to Memorial Medical Center.
Passenger Devin Redden, 18 of Modesto, complained of overall pain and was taken to Memorial, Olsen said.
Passenger Eleyna Alarcon, 18 of Ceres, was taken to Kaiser by AMR, Olsen said. She was not seat-belted, suffered abrasions and complained of leg pain, he said.
Villela’s fifth passenger was identified Sunday only as an 18-year-old male.
“We don’t know where he was taken,” said Olsen, who was working to find out. “With this many trauma patients, sometimes they have to be sent out of the area, such as to Stockton.”
He did not know if that was the case with this passenger.
The mass-casualty incident drew Modesto and Stanislaus Consolidated fire crews, five ground ambulances, an air ambulance and the CHP.
This story was originally published December 6, 2020 at 11:24 AM.
