Crime & Safety

Two Killed When Vehicles Crash on Gilman Springs Road, Survivor Accused of DUI

Two men were fatally injured Sunday night when two vehicles collided on Gilman Springs Road southwest of Beaumont, and a survivor of the crash was accused of DUI, according to the California Highway Patrol and the coroner.

The deceased driver, who was determined at fault in the crash, may also have been driving under the influence, a CHP spokesman said in a phone interview. Toxicology tests will show whether he was impaired.

The deceased were identified by coroner's personnel as driver Marco Bautista, 24, of Hemet, and his passenger Makhara Op, 23, of Moreno Valley.

The crash occurred just after 11:30 p.m. Aug. 18 on Gilman Springs about 1.5 miles east of Alessandro Boulevard, south of the Badlands and east of Moreno Valley, according to the coroner and CHP.

Bautista was driving a Volkswagen Passat west on Gilman Springs and Arturo Larios, 31, of Hemet, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer east on Gilman Springs Road, according to Officer Darren Meyer of the San Gorgonio Pass CHP.

"In Larios' vehicle was a 30 year old female and three children ages ten, eight and four," Meyer said. "The driver of the Volkswagen crossed over double yellow lines, colliding head-on into the Chevrolet."

The Volkswagen driver and his right front passenger were pronounced deceased at the scene, Meyer said.

Larios and his passengers were taken to Riverside County Regional Medical Center with major injuries. No other vehicles were involved in the collision.

"Alcohol and/or drugs are suspected as a contributing factor in the collision," Meyer said. "Additionally, Larios was arrested for driving under the influence at Riverside Regional Medical facility and then released to the care of the hospital."

The collision was being investigated by CHP Officer Adrian Horta.


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