Driver arrested on suspicion of DUI in crash that killed passenger near Sonora
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A Sonora man was arrested early Saturday morning after authorities say he crashed his pickup truck while driving under the influence, killing his passenger in Tuolumne County.
California Highway Patrol officers responded just after midnight to the collision on Peppermint Circle, west of Peppermint Lane, according to a CHP news release.
Investigators said 61-year-old Jack Jensen of Sonora was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado westbound with a 54-year-old woman also from Sonora as his passenger. Jensen failed to negotiate a curve, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and strike a tree. The pickup continued northwest, hit a second tree, and came to a stop.
Jensen then reportedly put the truck in reverse, backing into a wooden utility pole. The passenger died at the scene from her injuries.
During the investigation, officers determined Jensen was under the influence of alcohol and arrested him on suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter. He was booked into the Tuolumne County jail.
As of Monday morning, the Tuolumne County Coroner’s Office has not released the woman’s name.
The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sonora area CHP office.
