OJAI : Driver Arrested After Fatal Crash

A family trip to play in the snow in the mountains above Ojai ended in tragedy when an alleged drunk driver smashed into an approaching car on California 33, killing a 6-year-old boy and injuring four others, California Highway Patrol officers said.

Oxnard residents Clara Servin and her fiance, Roman Cerda, were returning about 5 p.m. Monday from the mountains, where they had taken Servin’s three sons to play in the snow, when their vehicle was struck by a car driven by Edmund Castro of Meiners Oaks, CHP Officer Mark Thomas said. Castro had swerved into the opposite lane, he said.

Servin’s son, Sergio Ramirez, 6, who had been riding in the back seat, suffered major head injuries in the crash and was taken to Ojai Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the CHP.

Sergio’s brothers, Daniel Albarran, 8, and Charles Albarran, 10, who were also sitting in the back seat, suffered moderate injuries, Thomas said. Servin suffered numerous abrasions to her head and face and a probable concussion.

Cerda, who was driving the vehicle, suffered a broken arm and a fracture to his lower back, Thomas said. He was treated and released from Ojai Community Hospital.

Castro, 34, was arrested by CHP officers on suspicion of felony drunk driving and taken to Community Hospital, where he received stitches for a cut on his forehead.

Thomas said preliminary tests indicated Castro’s blood-alcohol level to be .164, which is twice the legal limit. Results of a formal blood test will be released later this week, Thomas said.

Castro, who is being held at Ventura County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail, is expected to be charged with felony drunk driving and manslaughter, Thomas said. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. today in Municipal Court, authorities said.