State Route 20 turned deadly last Friday near King Road, where a two-vehicle crash killed two people and led to the arrest of one driver on suspicion of felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter, according to authorities. The wreck shut down SR-20 for roughly five hours as investigators worked the scene, and the California Highway Patrol later shared photos from the crash while urging drivers not to drink and get behind the wheel.
In a post on its social media page, CHP Williams said officers responded to the two-vehicle collision on SR-20 near King Road on Friday, where two people suffered fatal injuries. The driver of one vehicle was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter. CHP said the highway stayed closed for about five hours while emergency crews and investigators handled the crash scene. The post also warned against driving after drinking and suggested using a friend, taxi or rideshare instead, and it asked the public to call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers.
Impaired Driving Remains a Major Risk
Traffic safety officials say impaired driving continues to be a leading cause of deadly crashes in California, especially on rural highways where higher speeds can make collisions more severe. The California Office of Traffic Safety runs statewide education campaigns and grant programs that target DUI-related deaths and promote sober-ride options. For more on those efforts and statewide statistics, visit the California Office of Traffic Safety.
Charges and Legal Consequences
According to CHP, the arrested driver faces potential charges of felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter. Those are serious allegations that will be reviewed by prosecutors. Under California law, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is defined in Penal Code Section 191.5, and DUI causing injury can be charged as a felony under Vehicle Code Section 23153. Convictions under these laws can result in state prison sentences and other penalties, depending on the case details and any prior record. For the exact legal language, see Penal Code 191.5 and Vehicle Code 23153.
How To Stay Safe And Report Suspected Drivers
CHP’s Williams office ended its bulletin with a familiar reminder: plan a sober ride before you drink, and, in their words, "call a friend, taxi or rideshare" instead of driving yourself. The post also urged people to contact 911 if they see a driver they believe may be impaired. Those kinds of blunt reminders, paired with stark crash-scene photos, are a staple of CHP outreach after deadly collisions and are intended to drive home the real-world cost of impaired driving.
