Wrong-way DUI driver causes injury crash outside SLO

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

An allegedly intoxicated man drove the wrong way on Highway 101 outside San Luis Obispo Sunday morning, causing a wreck that injured an Atascadero resident. [KSBY]

David Lopez, 24, of Santa Maria was driving a Dodge Challenger northbound in the southbound lanes south of TV Tower Road. A 37-year-old Atascadero man who was driving a Toyota 4Runner saw the oncoming Challenger, but was unable to avoid a collision.

Upon impact, the 4Runner spun out and rolled multiple times. The Atascadero man suffered moderate injuries, according to the CHP. 

Debris from the crash flew into a third vehicle, resulting in minor damage. 

Following the collision, Lopez briefly continued driving northbound before coming to a stop. Officers arrested Lopez for driving under the influence of alcohol. 

Lopez is also facing charges of driving with a blood alcohol level of .1 or higher causing injury and hit-and-run causing injury, according to the SLO County Sheriff’s Office website. Lopez currently remains in the SLO County Jail with his bail set at $100,000.