2 Killed, 4 Injured in Weekend Car Crashes

Two people were killed and four others injured in two alcohol-related accidents last weekend, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A Palmdale man was arrested for vehicular manslaughter and felony drunk driving in connection with a crash in Mission Hills that killed his wife and sent him to the hospital with minor injuries. A head-on collision in the Antelope Valley killed one person and injured three others--two critically.

In the first accident, Carlos Tirado, 36, was driving east on the Simi Valley Freeway about 10 p.m. Friday when he attempted to merge quickly onto the transition road to the San Diego Freeway. CHP Officer Dave Grajeda said Tirado lost control of the car and slammed into a metal guardrail.

Fe Tirado, 44, was taken to Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, where she died a short time later. Her husband also was taken to the hospital after he complained of pain. He was admitted for observation and discharged Monday into the custody of the CHP.

Grajeda said investigators believe Tirado was intoxicated at the time of the accident, but they are waiting for the results of tests to determine his blood alcohol content.

About the same time, Ysaias Hernandez, 39, of Littlerock was driving west on state Route 138 near Littlerock, when he swerved into eastbound traffic and collided head-on with a car driven by Donald Ray McManus, 40, of Palmdale.

McManus was killed. Hernandez and an unidentified passenger were in critical condition at Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center. A third passenger, Galilberto Geronimo, 43, of Palmdale suffered minor injuries.

None of the four were wearing seat belts.

CHP Officer Ken Hansen said Hernandez will be arrested for vehicular manslaughter and felony drunk driving.