Driver Arrested in Fatal Crash- From the LA Times June 20th, 2002

A Canyon Country man may have been street racing when he crashed into an oncoming car, killing the driver and critically injuring a passenger, authorities said Wednesday.

David Fresquez, 27, of Canyon Country, was killed and his wife, Karyn, remained hospitalized Wednesday in critical condition.

Joe Chaidez, 23, was being held in lieu of $250,000 bail on charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.

Chaidez was arrested shortly after the Tuesday night crash on Soledad Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.

Los Angeles County sheriff's traffic investigators were interviewing witnesses to determine if the fatal crash was a result of drag racing or road rage, or if another vehicle was involved.

There was no evidence that drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash, officials said.

"In a collision of this magnitude, those are things we have to consider," Sheriff's Deputy Tony Arnold said. "It appears, based on some evidence and witness statements, that [Chaidez] was traveling above the speed limit."

The posted speed on Soledad Canyon is 50 mph.

Chaidez was driving a 2001 Acura east on Soledad Canyon Road near Deep Creek Drive about 9 p.m. when he lost control and crossed the center divider, Arnold said.

The Acura became airborne and slammed upside-down into a 1985 Chevrolet Camaro, which caught fire. A sheriff's deputy extinguished the fire.

Fresquez was pronounced dead at the scene. He and his wife were wearing seat belts, according to sheriff's deputies.

Chaidez was treated at the hospital for minor injuries and released to sheriff's deputies. It was unknown whether he was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

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Fresquez never had a chance, Arnold said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife, Karyn, her legs crushed, was comatose

comatose  for several weeks after rescuers priedpried ¹
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..... Click the link for more information. her from the wreck.

``She was on the brink of death,'' said David Fresquez Sr., Fresquez's father. ``We didn't know if she was going to survive.''

Karyn Fresquez suffered major injuries and is still under doctors' care. ``She's walking but she doesn't have strength,'' Fresquez Sr. said. ``She's gone through a lot and she's still going through a lot.''

Fresquez Jr. had just bought tickets for a Florida vacation, and he and his wife were looking forward to their fifth wedding anniversary.

Two days before he died, he spent Father's Day teaching his toddler son Jacob to swim.

Davis Fresquez Jr. moved to the Santa Clarita Valley  as a child. He attended Arroyo Seco Junior High School Arroyo Seco Junior High School is a public junior high school in Saugus, California. It is a member of the William S. Hart Union High School District. Rhondi Durand, Cathy Novean, and Dr. Andy Keyne are the principals. and Saugus High, where he played football for four years.

As court proceedings continue for the men accused in his death, Fresquez's family members said they aren't dwelling on the case. Their focus is on helping Karyn recover and caring for Jacob, who is almost 2.

Kenneth Spencer, the attorney representing Karyn Fresquez, said the woman definitely wants justice to be served but is currently concentrating on her recovery and her son.

``What happened was not right,'' David Fresquez Sr. said. ``But now, I'm just trying to mend the pieces.''