Melissa Patania, 33, killed and suspected DUI driver Augustus Matthew Marinovich, 19, charged in collision on Phoenix Lake Road in Sonora, California

Modified Date: 
Thu, 10/29/2020 - 5:56am
Accident Date: 
Monday, October 26, 2020

Sonora Woman Killed In Suspected DUI Crash, 4 Children Suffer Major Injuries

Augustus Matthew Marinovich, 19, reportedly lost control of his pickup truck and ran into the 1996 Suzuki SUV driven by the woman.

Sonora Mother Of 5 Killed In Suspected DUI Crash, Four Children Hospitalized

Her 33-year-old daughter Melissa Patania never made it home Monday after Sonora CHP says 19-year-old Augustus Matthew Marinovich drove head-on into Melissa’s car with four of her kids inside. Patania was just four minutes from her home when the deadly crash happened.

'My heart's been ripped out’: Woman remembers daughter killed in suspected DUI crash

Her four children suffered traumatic injuries and were airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center. Their injuries include a fractured spine, leg and wrist, which will require surgery. 

Type: Car Accident
People Involved: 
Melissa Patania
Augustus Matthew Marinovich
City: 
Sonora, CA

Comments

This is such a tragic DUI story. Hopefully somehow all the children make a full recovery. This driver should have to fightDUIcharges that are upgraded to the highest felony offense, and hopefully is convicted once it goes to court.  It's interesting how no media source so far is posting this DUI offender's mugshot or photo, when usually that is standard with any major DUI arrest.

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