Felix Contreras and Joseph Jiminez Injured in Crash on Highway 49 [Calaveras County, CA]

CHP Reports DUI Suspected in Solo Vehicle Crash on Highway 49

Calaveras County, CA (March 14, 2025) – The San Andreas Unit of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) released details about a single-vehicle crash on Highway 49 last week, where DUI is suspected.

The accident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, March 4, south of Gold Strike Road in the San Andreas area. 

According to CHP spokesperson Jeremy Cooper, 63-year-old Felix Contreras of Altaville was driving northbound on Highway 49 when, for an unknown reason, he veered off the east shoulder of the roadway. 

His 2013 Kia Optima went down an embankment and crashed into a tree.

Both Contreras and his passenger, 27-year-old Joseph Jiminez of Sonora, suffered serious injuries. 

Emergency responders airlifted them to Valley trauma centers for treatment.

Cooper confirmed that alcohol appears to have contributed to the crash, though authorities are still investigating the incident. 

No further details are available at this time.

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