Oceanside Woman Injured in DUI Crash

A 53-year-old Vista man was behind bars today on suspicion of drunken driving after his speeding sport utility vehicle crashed head-on into a minivan in San Marcos, leaving a 44-year-old Oceanside woman suffering from major injuries, authorities said.

The collision occurred on Buena Creek Road in San Marcos around 4 p.m. Sunday, said California Highway Patrol Officer Jim Bettencourt.

Teodocio Valdovinos was driving a 2004 Chevy Tahoe at a high rate of speed northbound when he decided to overtake a motor home south of Monte Vista Drive, Bettencourt said.

Valdovinos intentionally entered a southbound lane in the wrong direction and clipped a motorcyclist before colliding head-on with a 2007 Toyota Sienna driven by a 44-year-old Oceanside woman, who was airlifted to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido to be treated for major injuries, he said. The motorcyclist apparently was uninjured.

Valdovinos was arrested and booked into the Vista jail on suspicion of felony driving under the influence causing injury.

Buena Creek Road was closed for about two hours following the crash.

— City News Service