Learn wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:48 AM:Here we go again people. Another fatal accident involving alcohol. I have been a cop for 20 years and have seen so many of these senseless accidents. When will people learn to stop drinking and driving. So this guy will pay over $10,000 dollars in fines a huge increase in his insurance costs and at least a year in jail. He could have just paid $50 dollars for a cab. Great decision!

OMG wrote on Aug 29, 2008 11:12 AM:Read the article, it says it all, more check are points needed.

sarah wrote on Aug 29, 2008 11:51 AM:To Learn:

I completely agree with the drinking and drivinig statement. However forget about his fine and insurance. He took someones life!

what about del mar wrote on Aug 29, 2008 11:54 AM:here's my question about this: in June, a driver was going 65 in a 25 on Coast Blvd at 2 am, allegedly drunk, no seat belt. His passenger was wearing a seat belt. Driver runs a stop sign going 65, bottoms out on a dip in the road, loses control, slams into palm tree, kills passenger. Driver, while partially ejected, survives to this day. FACT: he has NEVER been charged with a crime! Go figure!! Politics? A guy lost his life as a result of this driver's allegedly crazy drunk driving on a residential road--65mph!! And at that he runs a stop sign going 65, and loses control of his vehicle. Survives! His passenger is dead and he's a free man, never charged with a crime. What's up with that? The newspapers have buried this true story.

To Everyone wrote on Aug 29, 2008 12:03 PM:Same Comment I always make....

We will read this same story in next weeks paper. No one will ever learn. Until DUI's are processed as attempted murder and the guilty serve serious jail time, there will continually be DUI offenders. The only thing you can do is buy a really big SUV, buckle up, say your prayers and hope the other guy who hits you is in a Toyota Prius.

To OMG wrote on Aug 29, 2008 12:38 PM:That's an incredibly stupid thing to say.

What the heck would a traffic checkpoint have done in this case?

Duh? Can't you read!!! It says the driver RAN THE RED LIGHT!!!

Do you think that a traffic checkpoint in Escondido would have prevented this accident in San Marcos?? That is STUPID.

BTW. Why don't you get a clue!! A 19-year old boy was killed. Does that mean nothing to you in comparison to your paranoid delusions that traffic checkpoints will solve all the world's ills.

Better yet: Maybe they should close all the damn bars...they just fill people with alcohol and send them on their way. FYI: If a 120 pound woman drank just mixed drink, she would have to wait about two hours before she could legally get behind the wheel without blowing a .06 should she be stopped by one of your wonderful checkpoints. So, why don't you advocate to shut down the bars?

Bet you never even go anywhere!

Most importantly: I hope the family of the young man that was tragically killed have a world of strength and support around them as they struggle with the very sad and tragic news. God Bless and Please Stay Safe.

Maroon wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:15 PM:Never mind the idiot that felt it was o.k. to hitch a ride with this dumb _ _ _ and wound up getting killed for his poor judgement. The lady in the other vehicle that was crossing the intersection missed being killed by a matter of inches. Personally I don't care if this guy is eventually carted away to the morgue from his hospital room - ...

to To Everyone wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:28 PM:"The only thing you can do is buy a really big SUV, buckle up, say your prayers and hope the other guy who hits you is in a Toyota Prius."

I seriously hope you are kidding and don't have a family. SUVs are great if you plan on plowing into someone BUT if it rolls (which SUVs are very good at) you have signed your death warrant.

I have spent the last 3 months visiting a friend in intensive care. She jerked the wheel going 40, rolled, and has a broken neck, broken back, every single rib broken, puncture lung, and a broken foot. All this because the roof caved in and crushed her between the roof and seat.

I'm not saying SUVs are bad.....but anyone who thinks they are extremely safe is an idiot.

....and back to the article, DUIs should be prosecuted harshly.

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:46 PM:I've been ranting and raving about this very subject and it's getting old, very old. 'OMG' made a good point, while 'TO OMG' missed it completely.

Checkpoints may not have caught Edward Perez this time, but they may have caught him on a prior checkpoint, thus removing him from the road.

And speaking of Edward Perez, what's a guy doing intoxicated at 10 AM in the morning and on the road? He was intoxicated and driving on a suspended license with a prior DUI conviction, which is all the more reason checkpoints are needed.

Let's not get all wrapped up in the 'checkpoints are a violation of my civil rights and are illegal search and seizure' arguments. A man's life was taken by Perez's ignorance and stupidity. This is utterly pathetic, and enough is enough!

Seems to me wrote on Aug 30, 2008 4:54 AM:that after 20 years of being a cop, you should know that the first thing that happens when a person drinks is that they loose any judgement they may have had prior to drinking. When will people stop driving drunk?? When they don't have the capabilities to get drunk anymore!!

Heartbroken wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:34 AM:This horrible accident happened at the end of our street. The scene was grisly, to say the least. My heart is broken for the family of the 19 year old who was killed. This was so senseless. The veteran cop was so right....$50 for a cab...and this all could have been avoided!

To Learn wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:53 AM:What insurance costs and $10,000?? Bet ya this Perez has none of the above. Also bet ya we are paying for his trip to PPH. He was already on a suspended license. Increase the sobriety check points in all of San Diego County. Police in Escondido doing all they can to keep these people off our roads. Kudo to the Escondido police dept. Wish some of your good policies would rub off on the other cities,

Stacey wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:11 AM:Why did it take 6 days for an update on this story? A major artery (Palomar Airport Rd/SM Blvd) is shut down for half the day and other than one small uniformative article on Monday, this is the first bit of info on it. I guess it happens too often and is no longer news-worthy. Sad...

any ideas wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:11 PM:to keep a person with a suspended license from driving ? It's obvious the person simply doesn't care whether it's suspended...notice how many of these stories have this in common ???

heartless wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:50 AM:i read all these comments and the difference to me is that i knew this person. The idea he had in his head that morning was all in good thoughts! I feel for all the people involved in this but why arent any of you thinking of his family? i know there are plenty of these stories but each one has its own story. Things happen for a reason...

EPiC wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:51 PM:this is another very sad story. hope the families involved are doing well. good luck.

Tired of Drunks.... wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:56 PM:To the Family of the young person, who's life was taken from Him, (There Son) God Bless, I pray God Gives you the strength to get thru this terrible loss... To The Drunk, you are a very sick person, who would do this to anyone, If you could get life in prison and never let out to hurt anyone again, This would be a Blessing to all.... Again I am so sorry to read about your Loss....

curious wrote on Sep 3, 2008 1:53 PM:I would be interested in knowing the blood alcohol level of the driver.....drunk on a Sunday morning. So, so sad, for all involved.

Records wrote on Sep 4, 2008 12:11 PM:To ...tired of drunks. I to am tired of drunks but did ever stop and think that maybe the 19 year old was suppose to drive and he was to drunk as well? Do you know all the facts to the story? I to am sorry a life was lost but before you convict someone to prison for life find out the entire story. A blessing you say to all, God is a forgiving person. Yes this is a sad story and my heart goes out to all the families and or friends involved.

Waiting wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:26 AM:I am waiting to read in the NC Times about the driver involved. Is he still in the hospital under arrest? Or has he been released into custody? I hope that this local paper keeps us INFORMED. There was poor reporting about this for 6 days.

Tired of Drunks wrote on Sep 5, 2008 12:38 PM:Records, I know God is forgiving..... But To Families who suffer from Drunks, They too need to see the person who caused this horrible incident. Some clouser.....I am one who does not want a drunk to hurt or kill my family members and not get what they deserve... Drunks never seem to suffer only the others do...

little opinion..... wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:39 PM:is sad to hear news like this God bless the family of the guy who was killed,..the story seems kind of choppy it doesnt tell whether the passenger was intoxicated too,,,, just a little observation police department if you want your checkpoints to really crack down drunk drivers, why dont you make a checkpoint on the exits of the parking lots of bars,, you know you this migh ACTUALLY KEEP drunk drivers OFF the road

Enough wrote on Sep 8, 2008 3:57 PM:People who are behind the Wheel of a vehicle are the ones in charge of there passengers, That is a huge hunk of metal to hurt and kill people, I was at Doctors office and a woman there with her husband , wife in wheelchair and needs 24 hour care and the person who hit her, did not have insurance, so they are out totally, out, not counting there wear and tear on a family, a wife who cannot care for her family.. Why is this state not strict enough on, insurance and drunks??????? Our families are preious to us.... Enough

sylvia wrote on Sep 26, 2008 11:02 AM:OMG WHEN I FOUND OUT THIS HAPPEND I WAS SO SAD JUST THINKING THAT MY BESTFRIEND HAD DIED HURT ME SO MUCH!!!
BUT NOW I REALIZE HE IS IN A BETTER PLACE AWAY FROM THE GANGS AND THE DRUGS... REST IN PEACE SALVADOR ALBERTO VENTURA.... WE WILL ALL MISS YOU.......

PABLO wrote on Nov 6, 2008 10:20 PM:SALVADOR VENTURA JR.Was my cousin,the only son my uncle had and the first in the bloodline to pass.He leaves behind a baby son who he never saw born and a family that loved him very much and is still recovering from the loss.I miss him and know that justice will be served.I would like to know the fate of the drunk who killed my cousin.

Diane wrote on Nov 28, 2008 10:08 PM:I believe this is the Salvador Ventura I had for a short while in my class at East Mesa. He was a beautiful young man. Respectful, thoughtful and eager to learn. I feel a loss having learned that he is no longer able to touch more lives. I believed he would do great things. May he rest in peace and his family find comfort.