Investigators say alcohol may have been a factor in a three-car collision Saturday on Pacific Coast Highway and Rambla Pacifico that killed a 15-year-old male and injured two others.
Los Angeles County Sheriffs detained 19-year-old Donte Sheffield on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol Saturday morning. Sheffield’s 15-year-old passenger, Roman Jimenez, was declared dead at the scene.
Det. Richard Curry said the two were driving home eastbound shortly after 8 a.m. on PCH when Sheffield lost control of his red Ford Explorer and swerved into oncoming traffic, striking a westbound vehicle.
The impact caused the Explorer to spin 180 degrees and strike another car headed eastbound, Curry said.
After being treated at a local hospital for minor injuries, Sheffield was detained and later released on Saturday. Investigators are still awaiting results of a blood alcohol test on Sheffield.
Sheffield reported having possibly blown a tire before losing control but detectives have not determined that as a definitive cause.
The collision shut down lanes in all directions for several hours. Read more here and check this week’s paper for the full story.
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