GONZALES — Gloria Road, east of Highway 101 and Gonzales, was closed for several hours Tuesday night after an alleged drunken driver collided with a vehicle, killing one person and injuring another.
According to California Highway Patrol, Charles E. Bailey II was driving a white 1995 GMC Sierra westbound on Gloria Road at a high rate of speed April 17 at about 11:19 p.m. when he struck the rear of a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu with two occupants directly in front of him.
“Due to Bailey’s level of intoxication and high rate of speed, Bailey failed to observe a sliver Chevrolet Malibu, with two occupants, also traveling westbound on Gloria Road, directly in front of him,” police said in a news release.
The collision caused the Chevrolet to veer off the south edge of the road, where it overturned and came to rest on its wheels, while the GMC veered off the north end of the road into a vineyard.
Bailey, 38, of Gonzales, was taken to Natividad Medical Center for moderate injuries sustained in the crash. He has since been arrested.
The Chevrolet’s driver, a 55-year-old Salinas man, suffered major injuries and died at the scene. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. His passenger, a 42-year-old Gonzales woman, suffered a broken pelvis, according to the police report.
“Alcohol is believed to be a factor,” police said.
The crash is currently under investigation, as well as the use of any occupant restraint system. Witnesses of the collision are urged to contact California Highway Patrol, Monterey Area Office, at 831-770-8000.
