Oakland man arrested in wrong-way crash

(KRON) — An Oakland man was driving an Infiniti SUV packed with passengers through Monterey County when his vehicle crashed head-on into a Chevrolet Silverado, the California Highway Patrol said.

The Infiniti driver, identified as 34-year-old Tristan Jeremy Madiclum Obligacion of Oakland, was arrested. “Alcohol is a factor in this crash,” the CHP wrote.

Everyone in the Infiniti and Chevrolet suffered injuries ranging between moderate to major, investigators said.

The wrong-way, head-on crash happened on July 6 at 11 p.m. CHP officers were on high alert for DUI drivers during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. According to the CHP, Obligacion was driving the Infiniti with four passengers — ages 18, 19, 21, and 35 — southbound on Salinas Road near Elkhorn Road when he veered into oncoming traffic.

Erik Limon-Rodriguez, 23, of Moss Landing, was driving the Chevrolet northbound on Salinas Road with a juvenile passenger inside.

The CHP wrote, “The Infiniti veered to the left and onto the northbound lanes of Salinas Road, and continued to travel southbound in the northbound lane of Salinas Road, directly into the path of the Chevrolet. Both vehicles crashed head-on. The Chevrolet then overturned onto its side.”

Both drivers, and all of the passengers, were transported to Salinas hospitals. Some of the passengers suffered major head, neck, and back injuries.

The California Highway Patrol said all motorists should call 911 to report suspected drunk drivers on roadways. “Keep a safe distance and provide the direction of travel, license plate number, color make, and model of the vehicle,” the CHP wrote.

During the CHP’s 2023 Fourth of July maximum enforcement period, 68 people were killed in crashes statewide.

Saturday night’s wreck is still under investigation.

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