OXNARD : Driver Charged in Death of Passenger
A 25-year-old Port Hueneme man was charged with vehicular manslaughter after an alcohol-related crash in Oxnard that resulted in the death of one of two passengers in his car, authorities said.
Armel Solomon, 26, of Oxnard was pronounced dead at 11:10 p.m. Saturday at Ventura County Medical Center, Deputy County Coroner Mitch Breese said. He said an autopsy performed Sunday showed that Solomon died of massive head injuries suffered in the 8:35 p.m. accident.
The driver of the car, Rizalito Estrada Castillejo, was being held on $5,000 bail Sunday at Ventura County Jail on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter and felony drunk driving.
Oxnard Police Sgt. Jeff Young said Castillejo was driving a 1989 Toyota Corolla west on Bard Road near Justin Way faster than the 35 m.p.h. speed limit when he lost control and struck a curb. The car went into a roll.
Solomon, who was not wearing a seat belt, was partially ejected from the front passenger seat during the roll, Young said.
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