1 dead after alleged drunk driver crashes in Seal Beach

An alleged drunk driver is sitting in jail on Monday after he allegedly crashed into a pole, causing his passenger to fly out of the car and die.

The crash happened at around 2:00 a.m. on Seal Beach Boulevard, south of North Gate Road and near the southbound part of the freeway, according to the Seal Beach Police Department.

Officers said the driver's car struck a pole, causing the vehicle to roll over and eject the woman sitting in the passenger seat out of the vehicle. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. 

On Wednesday, the victim was identified as 38-year-old Jennifer Patricia Lopez De Catalan of Lakewood.

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Victor Alfonso Campos Carranza, was hospitalized after the crash. Investigators booked him for felony DUI causing bodily injury and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

On Wednesday, Campos Carranza was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury and driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol content exceeding the legal limit of .08% causing injury, all of which are felonies.

He also faces sentencing enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury.

The crash caused widespread closures on Seal Beach Boulevard at Old Ranch Parkway and Golden Rain Road. It also shut down part of the I-405 offramps at the Seal Beach Boulevard exit. 

Anyone with information on the case should call traffic investigator Officer James Dowdell at (562) 799-4100 ext. 1627 or contact him via email at jdowdell@sealbeachca.gov.