CHP: Man killed in DUI-related crash while changing tire along Highway 101 near Laurel Drive

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV): Scenes of a horrific crash Saturday afternoon along Highway 101 near the Laurel Drive exit, and many people witnessed the crash.

Emilio Paniagua Felix was one of many people who witnessed the crash and he called it an unfortunate scene he won't forget.

"My blood pressure was low, and I kept sweating and sweating, and I started shaking." said Paniagua Felix.

CHP Monterey Public Information Officer Saul Perez said DUI's can be preventable.

"Unfortunately, DUI crashes have been pretty common," said CHP Monterey Public Information Officer, Perez. "It's unfortunate because every single DUI crash and arrests can be preventable."

CHP Monterey said the suspect is going to be charged with a felony DUI and other charges as well, but right now they said the investigation is ongoing. And for Emilio, he said he feels sorry for the victims family, because this could have been preventable.

"It happened so fast," said Paniagua Felix. "I would imagine that family was having a good day, and who would've thought something like that would happen."

And Paniagua Felix said it's a reminder for people to not drink or drive.

"It's unfortunate because people have to pay the price from the actions of other people." said Paniagua Felix.

CHP-Monterey said 77-year-old Virginio Cortez of Salinas is dead after a car crashed into him and multiple other vehicles while the man was changing a tire along Highway 101 near Laurel Drive in Salinas.

The crash was initially reported on July 20, around 1:06 p.m.

The CHP said as the investigation continued they arrested 24-year-old Jose Ramiro Sanchez on DUI-related charges after they found alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Investigators said Sanchez was driving when he suddenly, and for unknown reasons, veered off the road, crashing into a man changing the tire to a truck along the 101.

The CHP said the force of the crash shoved the truck into the rear of another vehicle while the suspect's vehicle crashed into another car before coming to a stop.

Another person standing outside the pick-up truck when the crash happened was injured but is expected to be okay.

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