Chico, California — November 14, 2010
Police say Robert E. Barnes, 25, was driving under the influence and carrying several pounds of marijuana Sunday evening when he struck another vehicle head-on, killing a Chico couple and injuring their two children.
The California Highway Patrol reports that Mr. Barnes was traveling north on Highway 99 near Broyles Road around 6 p.m. Sunday when his full-size Dodge pickup struck a southbound GMC Sonoma pickup. The force of the impact left 29-year-old Rogelio Herrera and 31-year-old Sarai Alvarez trapped; they were later found dead by emergency responders.
Two boys seated in the back seat, 7-year-old Cristian Zaizar and 6-year-old Emanuel Zaizar-Alvarez, suffered major injuries. They were transported to University of California Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, where they were listed in critical condition.
Mr. Barnes, along with two male passengers in his vehicle, suffered minor to moderate injuries. When police discovered several pounds of processed marijuana in the cab, all three were arrested.
Police say Mr. Barnes had been operating the vehicle while under the influence and was arrested on suspicion of murder, although the charge was later reduced to gross vehicular manslaughter. Eyewitnesses report observing Mr. Barnes’ vehicle driving erratically before the crash; he pleaded guitly to driving under the influence in 2008.
UPDATE: A benefit dance for the family of Rogelio Herrera, including the 6-year-old boy who survived the crash, will be held at Red Bluff Fairgrounds on Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m. The event will feature the bands Renovacion IV, Grupo Jalisiense and Grupo Ladino. The event is alcohol-free. Fore more information in English or Spanish, contact Aubrey Santillan at (530) 410-1177 or (530) Franklin Gonzalez at 838-0962.
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