Woman Killed, Toddler Injured In Monterey County Drunk Driving Crash; Suspect Driver Arrested

CBS Bay Area

January 21, 2026

An SUV driven by an alleged DUI driver crashed in Monterey County on Monday evening, killing a woman and injuring a toddler, authorities said.

The California Highway Patrol said in a press release that the solo-vehicle collision happened at approximately 5:32 p.m. along northbound River Road north of Gonzalez River Road, south of Salinas, and west of U.S. Highway 101. The preliminary investigation indicated a white Nissan SUV, driven by a 23-year-old woman, went off the roadway, crashed into a power pole, and rolled, the CHP said.

Riding inside the vehicle was a 23-year-old woman and a 2-year-old boy from Seaside. The CHP said the woman was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. She was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead, while the 2-year-old was hospitalized with unknown injuries.

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