DUI Collision
MURRIETA (CNS) – Prosecutors Wednesday declined to file charges against a man suspected of driving drunk and fatally hitting a 33-year-old woman stranded on Interstate 15 in Temecula, with the case going back to the California Highway Patrol to resolve unanswered questions.
Mason Michael Joachim, 26, of Carlsbad was arrested and booked into the Byrd Detention Center Saturday night on suspicion of second-degree murder, driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury, hit-and-run causing death and driving on a suspended license.
The CHP submitted a request for charges to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, but prosecutors uncovered undisclosed evidentiary issues, and no felony complaint was filed Wednesday.
“The case has been sent back to the agency for further investigation,” DA’s office spokesman John Hall told City News Service.
Joachim, who has been held in lieu of $1 million bail since he was taken into custody, was expected to be released from the Murrieta jail sometime Wednesday afternoon.
The CHP alleged that he killed Nancy Arzate of Perris on northbound I- 15 at Temecula Parkway.
Officer Mike Lassig said Arzate was at the wheel of her 2011 Toyota Camry shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday when she apparently lost control and struck a roadside object, causing her sedan to turn sideways in lanes.
Lassig said the victim got out of her car and stood next to it.
One motorist approaching the stranded woman was able to swerve to avoid hitting her and the stationary Toyota, but Joachim, traveling roughly 70 mph in his 2003 Ford Edge, did not stop or swerve, slamming into Arzate and her car, the CHP spokesman alleged.
“The suspect fled the scene on foot immediately following the crash,” Lassig said.
He said multiple motorists stopped and attempted to render aid to Arzate until paramedics reached the location, but she was pronounced dead at the scene less than 15 minutes later.
CHP officers and sheriff’s deputies obtained a description of the suspect and initiated a search of the immediate area that led to Joachim’s arrest a short time later not far from the wreck, according to Lassig.
The suspect was treated for minor injuries at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar, then jailed.
Background information indicated he was previously convicted of DUI, but the details weren’t available.
Arzate’s sister, Gabriela Lopez, started a GoFundMe account to raise money for her sibling’s funeral expenses.
“My family is suffering through the tragic and sudden loss,” Lopez said. “We are truly at a loss of words. As we prepare to lay her to rest, we are kindly seeking support to help cover the unexpected expenses.”
The campaign had generated $5,835 in donations as of Wednesday. The goal is $10,000. The donation portal is at gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-nancy- arzate?qid=618b6e21ce57fef6acaf06073d094080.
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