CHP identifies person killed in Highway 46 crash; driver arrested on suspected DUI
The person killed in a fatal collision on Highway 46 Monday has been identified as 60-year-old David Alan Schulte of Exeter, according to a California Highway Patrol Templeton news release, and the driver who apparently caused the crash has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The collision occurred west of the Jack Ranch Cafe between Shandon and the Cholame “Y” shortly after noon, according to the California Highway Patrol. It forced the highway to close in both directions for nearly three hours.
Two minor injuries and one major injury were also reported as a result of the four-vehicle crash.
According to the CHP, Jose T. Morales, 44, of Parlier was driving a GMC Yukon westbound when he crossed into the oncoming lane and sideswiped a Jeep Grand Cherokee pulling a utility trailer.
Morales then hit Schulte’s Dodge 3500 head-on, causing it to crash through a nearby barbwire fence and eventually land in a grass field. Morales’ car rolled and landed on its roof nearby. A fourth vehicle, a Toyota Tacoma, swerved to avoid the accident and collided with a barbwire fence.
The trailer detached from the Jeep and came to a stop, blocking both sides of the highway. It was moved before CHP arrived.
Morales was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was taken to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center before being medically released and booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail.
The driver and passenger in the Jeep said they were in pain but wanted to seek their own treatment for injuries. No injuries were reported by the driver or passenger of the Toyota.
Caltrans recently announced it has set aside $136 million to widen the same stretch of Highway 46 where the crash occurred with the goal of making it safer.
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This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 4:30 PM.
