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Methamphetamine intoxication and pulmonary emphysema contributed to death from car collision on Main Ave.

A Fallbrook man died on July 3 shortly after causing a collision that left two children and another driver injured.

At approximately 12:40 p.m., 48-year-old Fallbrook resident Ramon Varela was driving his 1994 Toyota Paseo northbound on Main Avenue in Fallbrook, with two child passengers, ages 2 and 5, when he drifted into the southbound lane near the College Street intersection and struck a 1994 Toyota Camry being driven by 28-year-old Jose Mendez-Garnica of Fallbrook.

"Mr. Mendez-Garnica observed the Toyota Paseo enter his lane, but was unable to avoid a collision," said Chris Parent, public information officer for the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

After the Paseo struck the Camry, the Camry struck another Camry, a 1999 model parked along the west edge of the roadway.

"Mendez-Garnica was transported to Palomar Regional Medical Center with abrasions to his arm and complaint of pain to his stomach," said Parent. "[Varela] was transported to Fallbrook Hospital where he succumbed to medical issues not related to the traffic collision."

"The driver of the Toyota Paseo is suspected of driving under the influence of drugs," said Parent.

The medical examiner’s office stated that the cause of death was blunt force injury of torso, with the contributing conditions of pulmonary emphysema and methamphetamine intoxication.

The child passengers of the Toyota Paseo were transported to Palomar Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. Traffic lanes were shut down for approximately two hours during the course of the investigation, the CHP reported.

previous story

Collision at Main/College intersection results in injuries to children, another driver; suspected DUI driver dies shortly after

A suspected DUI driver died today shortly after causing a collision that left two children and another driver injured.

At approximately 12:40 p.m., a 48-year-old Fallbrook man was driving his 1994 Toyota Paseo northbound on Main Avenue in Fallbrook, with two child passengers, ages 2 and 5, when he drifted into the southbound lane near the College Street intersection and struck a 1994 Toyota Camry being driven by 28-year-old Jose Mendez-Garnica of Fallbrook.

"Mr. Mendez-Garnica observed the Toyota Paseo enter his lane, but was unable to avoid a collision," said Chris Parent, public information officer for the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

After the Paseo struck the Camry, the Camry struck another Camry, a 1999 model parked along the west edge of the roadway.

"Mendez-Garnica was transported to Palomar Regional Medical Center with abrasions to his arm and complaint of pain to his stomach," said Parent. "The driver of the Toyota Paseo was transported to Fallbrook Hospital where he succumbed to medical issues not related to the traffic collision."

"The driver of the Toyota Paseo is suspected of driving under the influence of drugs," said Parent.

The child passengers of the Toyota Paseo were transported to Palomar Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. Traffic lanes were shut down for approximately two hours during the course of the investigation, the CHP reported.

(previous story, July 3, 2011, 3:01 p.m.)

Andrea Verdin

Staff Writer

An auto collision at the intersection of Main and College Avenue resulted in a fatality, according to North County Fire officials.

According to CHP officer Chris Parent, a 48-year-old male was driving a 1995 Toyota Paseo northbound on Main Avenue with two passengers - a 5 and 2-year-old in the vehicle when he veered into oncoming traffic at the intersection of College Avenue at approximately 12:45 p.m. today, Sunday, July 3, and struck a 1996 Toyota Camry, being driven by Jose Mendez.

Mendez and the children were transported to Palomar Hospital. The children suffered abrasions to their faces, while Mendez had abrasions and complained of stomach pain.

“The driver of the Paseo was able to get out of the vehicle and was responsive at the scene, but [died] en route to the hospital due to medical issues,” said Parent.

The cause of the accident and fatality are currently being investigated, however, Parent stated that it is suspected the driver of the Paseo was driving under the influence of drugs.

Watch this site as more information becomes available.

Previous story

An auto collision at the intersection of Main and College Avenue resulted in a fatality, according to North County Fire officials.

A 48-year-old male with a 5 and 2-year-old in the vehicle was struck by another car at the intersection at approximately 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 3.

The three individuals, including the children, were taken to Fallbrook Hospital while the driver of the second vehicle was transported to Palomar Hospital.

According to North County Fire representative John Buchanan, the children and individual at Palomar Hospital had non-threatening injuries. However, the male involved in the accident died on route to the hospital.

However, it was reported that the male was able to get out of the vehicle before being rushed to the hospital.

The cause of the accident and fatality are currently being investigated.

Watch this site as more information becomes available.

 

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