Driver Arrested for Head-On Crash that Left Four Hurt in Poway

ESCONDIDO, CA - A hospitalized Rancho Penasquitos man was under arrest Thursday on suspicion of DUI and narcotics possession in connection with a head-on collision that left him and a passenger severely injured and three other people, including two young children, less seriously hurt.

Justin Ottino, 22, was behind the wheel of a westbound 1996 Mazda B2000 that veered across a center median on Twin Peaks Road in Poway and crashed into a second pickup truck near Community Road shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to sheriff's officials.

"There was no evidence of braking on the part of the Mazda driver before the collision," Sgt. David Cheever said.

Medics took Ottino and his 19-year-old passenger to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido for treatment of serious trauma.

#UPDATE DUI suspected in head-on crash that left 4 hurt, pickup trucks crumpled in Poway https://t.co/XFjgcmKjmP pic.twitter.com/QKehs33ydE
— CW6 San Diego (@CW6SanDiego) October 26, 2016

The occupants of the eastbound 2009 Ford F-150 struck by the out-of- control Mazda -- a 48-year-old Poway man, his 3-year-old daughter and his 5- year-old son -- were treated at an emergency room for minor injuries.

Ottino allegedly was under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the crash. Cheever declined to specify the type of drug purportedly involved in the case.

The suspect had been arrested on narcotics charges about a week prior to the crash, the sergeant said.

- City News Service / Image via Shutterstock