Jose Aguilar booking photo
SALINAS — A Salinas man is behind bars on charges of vehicular manslaughter after an accident near St. Edwards Avenue and the East Laurel Drive extension that left one driver dead.
Police responded to the area after reports of a vehicle collision. Once on scene, they found that one driver — a 78-year-old woman — had been killed in the accident. Her name has not been released pending notification of her family.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the woman had pulled onto East Laurel Drive from St. Edwards when she was broadsided by 31-year-old Jose Luis Aguilar, who was travelling eastbound.
Aguilar also suffered moderate injuries to his jaw and chest. He is suspected of having been under the influence of marijuana or methamphetamine at the time. He was taken to a nearby hospital for a field sobriety test and a blood test.
Witnesses reported that Aguilar had been driving far in excess of the speed limit, which was corroborated by the extensive damage to both vehicles.
After being cleared, Aguilar was taken to Monterey County Jail and booked on charges of vehicular manslaughter and DUI resulting in serious injury/death.
