DUI arrest in fatal Ocotillo motorcycle crash

OCOTILLO, Calif. California Highway Patrol Officer DeAnn Goudie said Sunday that Carlos Ramirez Bobadilla, 36, of Mexicali, Mexico was arrested because his breath smelled of alcohol. The results of a blood-alcohol test are still pending.

Ramirez suffered hand fractures and was treated at a San Diego hospital.

Goudie said Ramirez will not be held responsible for the deaths based on the evidence gathered so far.

Authorities are still looking for the driver of a gold Honda Accord who allegedly forced Ramirez off the road when attempting to pass a group of motorcycles on Route 98 east of San Diego.

Investigators said around 1 p.m., the driver of the Honda tried to pass about a dozen motorcycles on that two-lane highway.

An oncoming car, driven by Ramirez, had to swerve out of the way, but the driver over-corrected and collided with several motorcycles, killing four riders: two men and two women.

A fifth fatality resulted from injuries sustained by a passenger in Ramirez's vehicle.

The driver at fault never stopped.

The CHP withheld the names of the five who died, pending notification of next of kin.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.