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Witness tries to stop suspected drunk driver in wrong way crash

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Updated: 11/05/2012 9:25 pm
A memorial service was held Monday for Breana Webb, the Bakersfield teen killed last week in a wrong way crash.

17 News has obtained a copy of the police report, in which a witness describes his frantic efforts to stop 33-year-old Martin Juarez, as Juarez sped the wrong way down Coffee Road before the crash.

Andrew Wattenbarger told police he saw Juarez turn south from Brimhall Road into the northbound lanes of Coffee.

Wattenbarger got in the southbound lanes of Coffee going 65, and tried to get Juarez's attention by flashing his high beams. But, he says Juarez was driving much faster than he was.

Wattenbarger saw Juarez narrowly hit two other vehicles before he collided with 18-year-old Breana Webb close to a mile from Brimhall Road. Webb died at the scene, and her four passengers were injured.

The report states that Juarez climbed out the passenger side of his vehicle and started walking away. A sergeant ordered Juarez to stop, and when he wouldn't the sergeant tackled him. The report states the sergeant detected a strong odor of alcohol on Juarez and says he appeared intoxicated.

Juarez has two prior DUI convictions. He now faces second-degree murder, felony DUI, and other charges and is due back in court January 8th.
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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of KGET TV 17 - In the Spirit of the Golden Empire

saltinz - 11/7/2012 1:58 PM
1 Vote
Wasn't the girl drinking? I imagine if she was not intoxicated her odds of avoiding a car going the wrong direction might have improved. Hard to feel bad when some one dies committing a crime themselves.

proudamerican - 11/6/2012 3:21 PM
2 Votes
RVLady--If you live in Bakersfield, then you know that the distance on Coffee Road from Brimhall Road to the scene of the crash is less than a mile. The witness was driving 65mph and said the suspect was pulling away from him. There was no time to retrieve a phone, call 911, and report what was occurring. He unfortunately had a front-row seat to an unfolding tragedy--another (multiple time) drunk driver about to kill an innocent person. I feel sorry for the witness.

Goodfighter - 11/6/2012 11:15 AM
0 Votes
You should both get a life and stop your mindless arguing over other peoples misfortune.

DR999 - 11/5/2012 10:14 PM
4 Votes
rvlady, PLEASE quit posting these uninformed comments! The witness gave their statement that morning to the police at the accident scene. It's the news media who is just now reporting it. I would be embarrassed if I was you.

RVLADY - 11/5/2012 7:54 PM
0 Votes
Wh did he wait day's later to say he tried to stop him. Why didn't he call 911 & report it as he was follwing him.?Questions here!
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