ESCONDIDO, Calif. — An 18-year-old man was in custody Monday on suspicion of driving without a license and being high on marijuana when he caused a crash in Escondido that injured several people, including himself, police said.
Elias Mendez of Escondido was behind the wheel of a southbound green Toyota Paseo when he ran a red light at Broadway and Second Avenue around 1:15 p.m. Sunday and crashed into a white Chevrolet Impala, according to Escondido police Lt. Justin Murphy.
The Paseo’s backseat passenger, 18-year-old Moises Lopez of Escondido, suffered severe neck and back injuries, Murphy said. He was taken to Palomar Medical Center to be treated along with Mendez and a 17-year-old passenger, who both sustained minor injuries.
The Impala’s driver also suffered minor injuries but refused treatment, Murphy said, adding that a 1-year-old passenger in that car was not hurt.
Mendez was later booked into the Vista jail on suspicion of felony drugged driving and driving without a license, according to jail records. Bail was set at $130,000. He could be arraigned as early as Tuesday afternoon.
Police asked anyone with additional information on the crash to call 760-839-4423.
liam
There really is no excuse for driving without a license. Even illegal immigrants can obtain one now and even receive subsidized insurance.
Merari
Well either way having a license or not it wouldn’t make no difference.