Driver of car that fell 50 feet into ravine in Azusa may have been drinking

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Los Angeles County firefighters respond after a car fell at least 40 feet over the side of the road and into a canyon in Azusa on Saturday, July 4, 2015.
Los Angeles County firefighters respond after a car fell at least 40 feet over the side of the road and into a canyon in Azusa on Saturday, July 4, 2015.
Melissa MacBride-KABC

AZUSA, Calif. (KABC) -- The driver of a car that plunged about 50 feet over the side of the road and into a ravine in Azusa may have been drinking, police said Monday.

"An odor of alcohol was detected on Arcadio Caliz indicating that alcohol may have been a factor in the collision," Azusa police released in a statement.

On Saturday, Caliz drove off Highway 39 about a 1/2 mile north of the U.S. Forestry information booth. The car flipped over and ultimately killed his two young children -- Christopher Caliz Martinez, 8, and Andrea Caliz Martinez, 12.

Caliz, who is unlicensed, his wife 32-year-old Marbella Martinez and his 13-year-old daughter survived the crash.

Witnesses told police that the vehicle was speeding. Skid marks were found in the road.

A toxicology test was still pending. No arrests were made.

Anyone with information is asked to call Azusa Police Department at (626) 812-3200.

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