Sonora man, 93, killed in car accident

A 93-year-old man died Monday night in an alleged DUI-related accident, authorities said.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Loren George Mears, 93, died in the single-car accident, reported at 7:05 p.m. pm Campo Seco Road east of Railway Lane.

Mears was a passenger in a 2001 Jeep Wrangler driven by a 49-year-old from Sonora, also named Loren Mears, headed eastbound on on Campo Seco Road. The younger Mears turned to the right, sending the Jeep off the shoulder of the road and into a power pole. The Jeep kept going and started to overturn, ejecting the elder Mears, who was riding in the back seat. Investigators later learned he was not wearing a seat belt.

Wendy Mears, 50, was riding in the front passenger’s seat and suffered major injuries. She was taken to Sonora Regional Medical Center for treatment. The younger Mears suffered minor injuries. He was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence causing great bodily injury or death.

This story was originally published October 29, 2014 at 1:13 PM with the headline "Sonora man, 93, killed in car accident."