Man Accused Of Driving Drunk In Crash That Left 2 Elderly Women Injured In The South Bay

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — A man has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving after crashing into two elderly women in Rancho Palos Verdes earlier this month, according to authorities.

Deputies with the Lomita Sheriff's Station say the man was driving in the area of Western and Summerland avenues on July 13 when he crashed into an SUV that had two women inside. Video of the crash posted by the Lomita Sheriff's Station shows the man suddenly veering into opposing lanes of traffic and causing the crash.

The man ran away from the scene, leaving his keys in the ignition and eight empty beer cans inside his car, according to deputies. The women, ages 83 and 79, suffered minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment, authorities said.

But roughly 30 minutes later, the man returned to the scene and told investigators he was responsible for the crash and was worried about the women he had hit, according to deputies.

Deputies performed a sobriety test and found that the man's blood alcohol content was nearly twice the legal limit at the time of the crash, according to the Lomita Sheriff's Station.

He was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence, causing injury and hit and run, causing injury, according to authorities.

"Reminder: If you’re involved in a crash that causes injury, the law requires you to immediately stop at the scene of the crash and exchange info," The Lomita Sheriff's Station said in a statement Friday morning. "Fleeing is a felony."