A woman has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after she was involved in a crash that claimed the life another driver.
The crash happened Sunday evening near the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and West Broadway in Anaheim, according to the Anaheim Police Department.
Around 10 p.m., first responders arrived on the scene of a two-vehicle collision involving a red crossover SUV and a white Volkswagen sedan.
The driver of the SUV was trapped inside the vehicle and needed rescued from firefighters on scene utilizing heavy machinery. She was eventually cut out of the wreckage and transported to a local hospital with major injuries.
She died about one hour after the crash, police said. She’s been identified only as a 56-year-old Long Beach resident.
The driver of the Volkswagen, 29-year-old Samantha Farris of Buena Park, was also transported to the hospital for treatment of her injuries.
Traffic detectives have determined that Farris made a left turn directly in front of the SUV, causing the fatal crash. Witnesses told police that Farris may have been drinking at a nearby business just before the crash, which led to the launch of a DUI investigation.
“There was probable cause to believe that Ms. Farris had been operating a motor vehicle in an unsafe manner while intoxicated,” Anaheim police wrote in a news release.
After being medically cleared from the hospital, Farris was booked into jail to await possible charges for driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter.
Officials said Farris was released Monday morning after posting bail.
The investigation is still ongoing, police said, and anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Anaheim Police Department at 714-765-1900 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.
