Suspected Drunk Driver Arrested at Crash
A Bakersfield woman suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol was arrested Sunday following a three-car accident on California 126.
The collision occurred east of Santa Paula Canyon Road, along a stretch of highway notorious for accidents. According to the California Highway Patrol, Suzanne Lawson of Bakersfield was driving in the wrong lane--heading west in the road’s east-bound lane--when, around 10:35 a.m., she approached a van heading east on the highway.
The van’s driver, Deborah Kapphahn of Bakersfield, swerved to avoid Lawson, but was sideswiped by Lawson’s car. The van then hit a third car.
Lawson was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital for a short time, then charged with driving under the influence. The two other drivers were treated for minor injuries at Santa Paula Memorial Hospital and later released.
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