Holiday Weekend Begins With Few Traffic Problems
The California Highway Patrol reported minimal traffic problems on Saturday, the beginning of the three-day Independence Day weekend.
Between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, the CHP said, there were no fatalities, and only freeway slowing and minor collisions were reported.
Two Ventura men were injured early Saturday morning in an accident that authorities believe was alcohol-related.
Demitro Morales, 30, suffered major head and hand injuries after his 1987 Toyota hit a concrete barrier and rolled over on the southbound Ventura Freeway just north of Highway 126. The accident occurred just before 1 a.m.
A passenger, Shane Deremer, 31, sustained only a minor cut on his forehead.
Both were taken to Ventura County Medical Center, where Morales was listed in critical condition Saturday night.
No other vehicles or people were involved in the accident.
The California Highway Patrol said Morales’ blood-alcohol content was twice the legal limit. Officers also reported smelling alcohol on Deremer. Marijuana paraphernalia was found in the car, the CHP said.
Authorities plan to seek charges of driving under the influence against Morales.
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