Suspected Drunk Driver Arrested in Fatal Crash
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HUNTINGTON BEACH — A 34-year-old Brea woman died when a suspected drunk driver rear-ended her car, slamming it into a power pole, police said Sunday.
Donna G. Davis is believed to have died instantly when her car went over a curb and into the pole shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday, according to Huntington Beach Police Sgt. William Martin.
Police arrested Michael P. Rooney, 29, of Huntington Beach on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony driving under the influence of alcohol.
Davis, the mother of two young children, was driving east on Adams Avenue past Magnolia Street when Rooney drove up from behind, authorities said.
Police said witnesses reported that Rooney appeared to be driving more than 70 m.p.h. when he rear-ended Davis’ car, sending her vehicle onto the sidewalk and into a power pole.
The suspect was taken to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, where he underwent surgery for internal injuries suffered in the crash, Martin said. After treatment, he was moved to the hospital’s jail ward.
An unidentified male passenger in Davis’ car also was hurt and was taken to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana with undisclosed injuries, police said.
If convicted, Rooney could face up to six years in prison on the vehicular manslaughter charge alone, authorities said.
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