Orange : Driver Jailed After Passenger Is Crushed
A Citrus Heights man was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving early Friday after he lost control of his car and a passenger was thrown from the car and crushed by the vehicle, authorities said.
California Highway Patrol spokesman Rich Crow said Richard P. Ruel, 34, was arrested shortly after the 11:40 p.m. accident. Crow said Ruel was traveling northbound on the Costa Mesa Freeway at about 70 to 75 m.p.h. when he overshot the Katella Avenue off-ramp and tried to cross several lanes of traffic.
Greg A. Costello, 28, of Yorba Linda was thrown from the car and then crushed by the rolling vehicle, Crow said.
Another passenger, Gil Rousseau, 28, also of Yorba Linda, was not injured, the spokesman said.
Ruell was treated for minor injuries at UCI Medical Center in Orange and transferred to the Orange County Jail.
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