Menifee Man to be Arraigned in Oceanside Woman's Death

A Menifee man accused of being under the influence of marijuana when he caused a head-on crash that killed a 53-year-old Oceanside woman two days before Christmas is scheduled to be arraigned today at the Vista courthouse.

Jonathon David Roberts, 22, was in a 1997 Dodge Ram pickup headed west on state Route 76 when he drifted into the path of eastbound traffic near Via Monserate in Bonsall around 3:20 p.m. Dec. 23, said California Highway Patrol Officer Jim Bettencourt.

Roberts' pickup crashed head on into a 2010 Honda Fit being driven by a 53-year-old Oceanside woman, according to the CHP statement. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office identified the woman as Socorro Aguirre- Reynosa.

Aguirre-Reynosa died at the scene, and three passengers in the vehicle she was driving -- a man, a 13-year-old boy and a 30-year-old woman -- suffered minor to moderate injuries.

The Medical Examiner's Office identified the passengers as Aguirre- Reynosa's husband, daughter and grandson. All three were taken to Palomar Medical Center.

A 2004 BMW 328i headed east directly behind the Honda Fit also was involved in the accident, going down an embankment, leaving the Carlsbad woman behind the wheel with moderate injuries, Bettencourt said.

The woman was taken to Palomar Medical Center, along with Roberts, who suffered minor injuries. After he was treated at the hospital, he was taken to the Vista jail and booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence and possession of marijuana.

"A large amount of marijuana was found inside Mr. Roberts vehicle, and it is believed that during the time of the collision, he was driving under the influence (of drugs)," Bettencourt said. "Chemical test results are pending."

A witness said that in the moments leading up to the crash, Roberts was crossing over a double-yellow line and swerving "all over the road," according to Bettencourt.

—City News Service

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