Melissa Patania Killed in DUI Crash on Phoenix Lake Road in Sonora
Melissa Patania ID’d as Woman Killed in Sonora Accident on Phoenix Lake Road near Bear Cub Drive
Sonora, California (October 29, 2020) – Authorities have identified the woman who died in an alleged DUI crash Monday evening in Sonora as Melissa Katherine Marie Patania, 33.
The deadly accident transpired at about 6:15 p.m. Monday, October 26, on Phoenix Lake Road near Bear Cub Drive.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a 2002 Toyota pickup truck, driven by Augustus Matthew Marinovich, 19, of Sonora, was traveling westbound on Phoenix Lake Road at a high rate of speed when it lost control and collided head-on with a 1996 Suzuki SUV driven by Patania.
Woman Killed and 4 Children Injured in Crash on Phoenix Lake Road
Patania was pronounced dead at the scene while her four juvenile passengers were airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center with major injuries.
Marinovich was also airlifted to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto with major injuries. Authorities determined that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.
The CHP said Marinovich will face charges of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter once he is released from the hospital.
Further details about the accident were not immediately available. The crash remains under investigation.
If you lost a loved one in a traffic crash, call Pacific Attorney Group for a free consultation and to request a police report on the crash. Click to call : 866-803-6502.
