71 Freeway reopens hours after alleged DUI crash leaves 1 dead, others injured

Monday, July 3, 2023
POMONA, Calif. (KABC) -- The 71 Freeway in Pomona was shut down Monday for hours after a crash involving a suspected drunk driver that left one person dead and several others injured.

The crash happened around 10 p.m. Sunday. According to the Pomona Police Department, a driver was arrested for DUI after crashing into a tow truck in the northbound lanes.

The impact of that collision caused the tow truck to crash into the center divider and end up in oncoming traffic on southbound lanes.

That's when police say a family in a minivan collided head-on with the tow truck, "causing significant injury to several occupants."
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At least four people were taken to the hospital in unknown condition. One individual, only identified as an adult man, died.

After the crash, all lanes were closed between Mission Boulevard and Rio Rancho Road.



The Pomona Police Department announced just before 2 p.m. Monday that the freeway had reopened.

The driver of the vehicle that originally struck the tow truck has been identified as Mark Shoemate. The 33-year-old Aliso Viejo resident was booked for vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI.
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