Crime & Safety
Victim, 18, Of Suspected-DUI Crash Identified; Driver Still Hospitalized
A fundraising campaign is underway to help with funeral expenses for the family of the teen, Daynzu Del Carmen Rico Becerra.
MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – The victim of a fatal crash Saturday evening in unincorporated Monterey County was identified Tuesday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP said 18-year-old Daynzu Del Carmen Rico Becerra, a Salinas high school senior, was a passenger in a 2015 Jeep Patriot driven by Rafael Reyes Rangel, 22 of Watsonville.
Rangel was driving the vehicle around 50 to 60 mph on northbound Elkhorn Road north of Garin Road at about 6 p.m. Saturday, CHP Sgt. John Medcalf said.
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He allegedly drove the Jeep off the roadway and crashed into a bridge guardrail on the east side of the bridge, Medcalf said.
The vehicle continued about 40 feet north on the railing before it went 32 feet below the bridge, landing on its roof, according to Medcalf.
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Emergency crews pronounced Becerra dead at the scene and Rangel was transported to the hospital for major injuries, Medcalf said. Investigators reported alcohol was found in the vehicle and detected on Rangel, according to Medcalf.
As of Tuesday evening Rangel remains in the hospital where he is being treated for various fractures, according to the CHP.
A GoFundMe campaign is underway to help defray funeral expenses for Daynzu's family. The goal is $5,000, and, to date, $2,145 was raised.
"Daynzu del Carmen Rico Becerra was AMAZING, smart, kind, giving, determined and motivated young woman. She was a senior at Everett Alvarez High School," the campaign page states.
"She had big dreams to get her diploma, go to a university and provide a better life for her family. She tragically passed away in a car accident on Saturday evening. The family needs all our positive thoughts and prayers. There is nothing any of us can do to ease their pain. However, we can help with the funds needed to put their daughter to rest. Please donate any amount you are able. All donated funds will go directly to the family."
>>>Click here to see more details on GoFundMe.<<<
- Previous: Watsonville Man ID'd In Suspected-DUI Crash Off Bridge That Killed Woman, 18
- Also see: Man Arrested, Accused Of Trying To Start Fire At Gas Pumps At Watsonville Store
--Bay City News contributed to this report/Photo courtesy of Daynzu del Carmen Rico Becerra GoFundMe page
