Ceres teen suspected of DUI in fatal crash south of Modesto

A Ceres teen is dead and his friend arrested on suspicion of drunk driving after a rollover crash south of Modesto on Thursday night.

The crash occurred on Taylor Road east of Crows Landing at about 11 p.m., according to California Highway Patrol Officer Don Davis.

Jose Luis Esquivel, 18, of Ceres, was driving a Honda at high speeds east on Taylor with passenger, 18-year-old Oscar Pelayo.

The Honda hit a crest in the road and became airborne, Davis said. When it landed, the front right tire blew and Esquivel lost control of the car.

The car flipped onto its roof, traveling in a northeasterly direction then rolled down a canal bank where it landed on its wheels in about two feet of water, Davis said.

Pelayo, who was not wearing his seat belt, was ejected from the Honda and landed on the canal bank.

Esquivel was wearing his seat belt and sustained minor scrapes and bruises.

Both were taken to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, where Pelayo died.

Davis said officers determined Esquivel was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and DUI.

This story was originally published April 1, 2016 at 3:51 PM with the headline "Ceres teen suspected of DUI in fatal crash south of Modesto."