Oxnard man dies of injuries from January DUI crash

An Oxnard man died Friday afternoon of critical injuries suffered in a January DUI car crash, according to police.

Juan Gonzalez Diaz, of Oxnard, was pronounced dead around 3 p.m. by the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Diaz was one of three people injured in a single-vehicle crash around 2 a.m. Jan. 13.

The vehicle, a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, was being driven by Maximino Diaz, 23, of Oxnard, when it hit a palm tree and brick wall in the area of Pleasant Valley Road and Longfellow Way, according to police. Diaz suffered minor injuries while the two passengers, including Gonzalez Diaz, suffered serious injuries, according to police.

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A preliminary investigation found Diaz was under the influence of alcohol while driving the PT Cruiser west on Pleasant Valley Road, according to Oxnard police. The vehicle was traveling at a high speed when it went out of control and left the roadway, according to authorities. Diaz was subsequently arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence of alcohol, police said.

The investigation into the case is being performed by the Oxnard police traffic unit and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Officer Alvaro Pulido at 805-385-7750 or alvaro.pulido@oxnardpd.org

Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and public safety reporter covering the night shift for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached by calling 805-437-0208 or emailing jeremy.childs@vcstar.com.