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Suspected Drunk Driver Blames Fatal I-5 Pileup On Truck Driver

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A suspected drunk driver accused a truck driver of hitting him and sparking a fatal chain reaction crash on southbound I-5 in Orange County California yesterday, but the police say that there was no truck.

Alleged Drunk Driver Causes Deadly Pileup

According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident began around 5 a.m. on Thursday morning when 25-year-old Joshua Garmon, driving a black Charger, swerved over several lanes as he attempted to make the transition from I-5 to the I-33 toll road. Garmon’s vehicle hit a white GMC Yukon driven by 39-year-old Juan Ticas.

The Charger would up sideways against a guardrail, partially blocking the right lane, while the Yukon came to a rest about 100 feet away. Ticas left his vehicle to go check on Garmon, but a black Nissan that was attempting to avoid the crash struck Ticas, sending him falling down a 50-foot embankment. Ticas died soon after.

The Nissan also hit the Yukon. The Nissan driver sustained non-life threatening injuries.

A Camry then hit the Charger and a guardrail, but no one was hurt in that crash.

Suspect Said He Was Hit By Truck, But Police Found No Evidence of Big Rig’s Involvement

Garmon told police that an 18 wheeler clipped his vehicle and caused the fatal crash, but the Highway Patrol didn’t buy his story: “There is no sign of a big rig. There are no witnesses at this time. There is nothing to substantiate his statement.”

Garmon was arrested on suspicion of DUI. He has a previous DUI arrest. He was not hurt during the crash.

The California Highway Patrol is asking any witnesses or people with information about the crash to call 714-567-6000.

Sources:
LA Times
OC Register
Patch

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