Big rig driver under the influence of alcohol in Fowler fatal crash, cops say

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Officers say a big rig driver was under the influence when he ran a stop sign and crashed into another car killing a mother and her 14-year-old son.

The Highway Patrol says the Santos family was stopped at a stop sign when Alonso Hernandez's truck slammed into the back of their car. The 38 year old then slammed into another big rig and kept on going. An off duty deputy and a Fowler police officer then held Hernandez until the highway patrol could arrive. Officers say they immediately smelled alcohol.

Officer Axel Reyes said, "This is an example of that the dangers of drinking and driving and this heightens and makes it worse when you're in control of an 80 thousand pound vehicle."

The Santos family was either on their way home or driving towards a farm where they were working. Relatives say the Selma residents had just started picking onions. 14-year-old Ricardo Santos and his mom, 51-year-old Leticia Trejo did not survive the accident.

The Highway Patrol says it's yet another horrible and tragic example of the consequences of drunk driving. The big rig driver is from Los Angeles and had picked up a load of onions from five points. The Bakersfield trucking company for whom he was driving says Hernandez had just started working for them a few weeks ago.

Officer Reyes said, "At this point it appears he was a licensed commercial vehicle driver and he's been doing it for a while and seems to have everything in order."

Reyes also says that may change as Hernandez is now facing DUI, hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter charges for his role in the accident that claimed two lives.

The highway patrol says accidents like this one is exactly why they hold campaigns against drunk driving. The maximum enforcement period for "Avoid the 21" is starting in a few weeks.