The California Highway Patrol has delved into serious investigations following the death of a Monterey County Probation officer in a suspected DUI accident along San Benito’s Highway 156 on Monday, March 2.

The accident occurred on Monday afternoon, near San Felipe Road. California Highway Patrol responded to the crash at about 3:05 pm after it was called in, with paramedics confirming the 41-year-old victim’s death on the scene.

A report by the San Benito County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the deceased, who has since been identified as Officer Florencio Lopez, the Monterey County Probation Officer, was involved in a fatal head-on collision between two vehicles.

It was disclosed that the deceased was driving east, in a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta on Highway 156, when another vehicle, moving westbound crossed the double yellow lines, venturing into the east lane without warning and collided with the probation officer’s car.

The other vehicle involved in the incident was a 2006 Toyota Tacoma, driven by an unidentified male motorist.

While the 41-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, the driver of the westbound car sustained multiple injuries and was transported to the Natividad Medical Center, Salinas, California, for immediate medical attention.

The driver of the Toyota Tacoma was arrested shortly after receiving treatments, for suspected driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The alleged DUI driver will be held in police custody pending further investigations into the incident, and if found guilty, may either pay a fine or get jail time or both.

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