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Ashland Daily Tidings (Ashland, OR — Wayback)

2006-05-28

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 - Subscribe  - Contact Us  - Rate Card  - Place an Ad Archives      Revels      Classifieds      Real Estate      Menu Guide      Wedding      Weather      Subscribe      Contact Us June 7, 2005 Suspect in fatal wreck had DUII conviction By Mark Freeman For the Tidings An Eagle Point teenager had a drunken driving conviction and was enrolled in an alcohol diversion program when his speeding sports utility vehicle slammed head-on into a sedan Friday night, killing the sedan’s driver as she headed to an all-night graduation party. Now, Ashland police say they are investigating whether 19-year-old Jonathan Guevarra used alcohol before triggering the 10:11 p.m. crash that killed 18-year-old Leah Castillo of Talent less than an hour after she graduated from Ashland High School. Armed with a warrant, Ashland police detectives searched the impounded Chevrolet Blazer in which Guevarra was allegedly road-racing just moments before the crash on North Main Street near Maple Street, police said. Beer cans were found outside of the wrecked Blazer on Friday, Ashland police Sgt. Teresa Selby said. In Monday’s search, detectives were looking at whether signs of illegal drugs or alcohol were present in the vehicle and whether the SUV — which was registered to Guevarra’s family members — had any mechanical problems, Selby said. “We’re looking at anything that could have contributed to the crash,” said Selby, who declined to reveal the fruits of the search. Castillo was pronounced dead at the scene. Guevarra suffered a broken ankle in the crash and was taken to Rogue Valley Medical Center, where he remained Monday listed in fair condition, a hospital spokesperson said. Detectives today will continue trying to piece together Guevarra’s activities and whereabouts in the hours before the crash, Selby said. Police also want to talk to the driver of a black Honda Prelude that an Ashland police officer saw racing with Guevarra’s Blazer on North Main Street moments before the crash. The officer gave pursuit and the Prelude stopped briefly while Guevarra’s Blazer sped north on North Main Street. The northbound Blazer darted into the southbound lanes, where it collided with Castillo’s Nissan Sentra, police said. The Prelude sped away as the officer responded to the accident, police said. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Online Pharmacy Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations Hammocks Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams