DUI Suspected In Triple-Fatal Placer County Crash

October 21, 2011 3:52 PM

PLACER COUNTY (CBS13) – A 17-year-old Meadow Vista teen was arrested on DUI charges and felony vehicular manslaughter Thursday night after the car he was driving lost control and smashed into a tree, killing three passengers, according to the CHP.

The teen was driving on Applegate Road north of Boole Road at 7:30 p.m. with four other passengers when he failed to negotiate a turn, veered off the road and hit a tree, the CHP said.

The driver’s brother, Lukas Warren, 21, of Meadow Vista, Daniel Silverman, 31, from Meadow Vista and Christian Mayorga, 21, of Auburn were killed. A 17-year-old girl from Eugene, Ore., sustained moderate injuries. She was transported to Sutter Roseville Medical Center.

The driver was taken to Mercey San Juan Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. He was then booked into the Placer County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of felony vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI.

Investigators say alcohol played a factor in the crash. Lack of seat belts was also a factor that contributed to the deaths of Silverman and Mayorga. Both were thrown from the vehicle from the back seats. Silverman died at the scene. Mayorga was air-lifted to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

Warren, in the front seat, was wearing a seat belt but died at the scene from blunt force trauma, the CHP said.

A woman who asked CBS13 not to identify her said she sometimes allowed Silverman, Warren and Warren’s 17-year-old brother to stay at her home and that they sometimes drank there. She said all three had prior issues with alcohol and she thought it was safer for them to drink at her house rather than drink and drive.

She let Silverman borrow her car, a 1997 Subaru, Thursday night to pick up the Warren brothers and expected them to come back “to drink a few beers” but they never arrived.

Cal

I guess when EVERYONE is drunk…let the youngest one drive! Look how well that turned out for everyone. I am guessing that the UNNAMED male from Auburn is related to an officer/deputy or some elected official?
nodrunks

The “Adults” who got killed have only themselves to blame.
Carina Anselmi Harrigan

The unnamed male from Auburn is a young man that had his whole life ahead of him. Very sad. Please keep good thoughts for the family that now has to lay him to rest. He did not want to go with them.
timatoe

You do know the only two people not named are the 17 year old Meadow Vista resident driver and a 17 yo girl from OR who was a passenger. They never print the names of juveniles.

Why try to turn a tragedy for three families into a stupid way to try and slam an LEO?
Selmers

HOW IS THIS MANSLAUGHTER?!!?!? It is not an accident when you drink and drive. It is beyond common knowledge that it causes accidents! When this idiot chose to drive, he CHOSE to crash! He CHOSE to kill!!! You hear that, punk?? YOU KILLED these people! I hope it ruins the rest of your life! Don’t put a shotgun in your mouth… NO, you better live with this!!!
tony

so this woman who asked CBS13 not to identify her lets these minors drink at her home because its safer and then lets them borrow her car? what is wrong with this picture
Cmore

I certainly hope that this mother has to serve time for giving alcohol to a minor and then allowing them to use her car after drinking. Why couldn’t she go pick up these kids or was she drunk also? As for the driver, I hope he thinks about what an idiot he is for the rest of his life. He also needs to be in an adult prison. He wanted to act like an adult by drinking and driving, now he can serve time in the Big Boys playground.
Anonymous

Great kid. Poor choice. I hope he gets the support he needs and not more bad mouthing. He is having a tougher time right now than anyone knows. Cant wake up from this bad dream. Hope the families involved are getting the support they need as well.
Terri Spreitzer

My daughter is the girl who survived the crash. She remained conscious throughout the entire ordeal and is sore, bruised, traumatized but also very lucky. She is at home with us in Oregon. She and the driver’s brother, Luke, were begging the driver to pull over and let them out. He wouldn’t stop the car and said, “Let me have my fun.” She knew they were going to crash and can remember thinking, “where can I place my legs so they don’t get broken. What parts of my body should I protect most.” I can’t believe she survived this type of wreckage. We are so grateful. Our thoughts go out to the friends and families who lost their loved ones.
Natalie

I can only imagine the fear your daughter must have felt… I was friends with Daniel in eighth grade and will attend his memorial tomorrow. I will think of your daughter as well when I am there and what she will remember for the rest of her life.
foolish woman

The woman who loaned the car is going to get sued big time, she may not have identified herself to the media, but the insurance companies and lawyers will find out……..
Ronda

Can you tell me where the Memorial for Daniel is being held and what time. My son knows him and wants to attend.
tellez

wow, what a story..people do make mistakes in life. sometimes i think back how did i make it home when i new better not to drink drunk. i learn my lesson drinkin and drinkin. it scared me so bad that I do not drink anymore, its been a year. anyways, my heart goes out to all the families. god bless the ones that pass.
tellez

I learn my lesson years ago. and till this day, I dont remember how I got home. I dont drink any more. thank god. like I said, my heart goes out to all the families and god bless the one who did this. he will relize that he did make that big mistake and that mother, what the hell was she thinking. i hope they put her away to teach her a lesson not to give key away when kids are drinking.
Jenny Manes

He isn’t unnamed…. And he wasn’t related to an officer. His name was Christian Mayorga and he was my cousin. Also a woman that was a former CPS worker allowed the underage drinking and let them take her car. So she is just as responsible if not more
Jenny Manes

http://www.change.org/petitions/people-against-drunk-driving-make-it-more-of-a-harsher-punishment Please sign this evryone
MAMA MARC

and she should be on charges also….
anymouse

your anger is ignorance….
helena

you are horrid for saying this. i have met the kid who drove, once years and years ago. try to put your self in his shoes. what he did was stupid ans he will have to suffer with that guilt. i bet they were all pretty drunk when they made the decision to let him drive, and thus couldn’t already make clear judgments. but it is horrible that you would still want him to suffer even more. the best thing is to have compassion for him and for the families that lost their loved ones.