OCEANSIDE: Suspected drunken driver blamed for bus accident
By North County Times | ∞
OCEANSIDE ---- A suspected drunken driver fled the scene after he ran a small bus off eastbound Highway 78, but police caught up with him not far from the crash, officials said.
At about 12:40 p.m., emergency dispatchers got word of a bus that veered off the 78 east of El Camino Real and onto the service road below after being hit at least once by the driver of a sedan, California Highway Patrol Sgt. Tom Greenstone said.
The bus, a senior citizen transport vehicle, was carrying only its 39-year-old driver, who was taken to nearby Tri-City Medical Center with minor injuries after landing on Haymar Drive, Greenstone said.
"She was very lucky," he said. "This just destroyed this van; literally destroyed it."
Carlsbad and Oceanside police helped in the search of the hit-and-run driver, who was found not far away in the area of College Boulevard and Lake Boulevard, Greenstone said.
The driver, 27-year-old Frank Wnuck of Vista, tried to flee on foot after his car failed, but he was taken into custody, Greenstone said.
Witnesses told investigators they saw the Intrepid travelling as fast as 90 mph and that the accident happened when Wnuck tried to pass the bus on the right, Greenstone said. Wnuck hit the van at least once and possibly twice, he said.
Greenstone said Wnuck admitted to investigators that he had been drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana before he got behind the wheel.
Wnuck was taken to the Vista jail on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and fleeing the scene of an accident, Greenstone said.
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Coastal Girl wrote on Sep 7, 2008 10:17 PM:Way to go OPD! You got your man and the paramedics responded quickly and got the driver help right away! I love you guys!
Congrats wrote on Sep 7, 2008 10:24 PM:Good job by Tom Greenstone from CHP, hard working CHP/Sgt...His officers work hard!
HMMMM wrote on Sep 8, 2008 5:43 AM:Hmmmm, Frank Wnuck, "a suspected drunken driver fled the scene". Wait, according to the SDMM and it's supporters only illegals engage in this type of behaviour. I'm sure Wnuck must be from Mexico! "Wnuck admitted to investigators that he had been drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana ." I'm sure he lied about his name right?
John wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:35 AM:Why doesn't the DMV implement some kind of random drug and alcohol screening to stop drunk and drugged drivers BEFORE they get legal access to motor vehicles? WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE SUE THE DMV ALREADY? IS THERE AN ATTORNEY READING THIS?
To HMMMM wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:51 AM:Your 5:43am post is not factual. Most and I emphasize "most" of the people who "run" from accidents are from South of the border. It happens so often that it now has a negative influence on everybody.
Craig wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:15 AM:to HMMMM: way to stir the pot with your nonsense. Show me one instance where SDMM claim ONLY illegals engage in this type of behavior. The only claims I have seen are that instances of this type would be lower if we only had legal immigrants and Americans committing crimes. Comments like yours promote racism yet your type is the one claiming racism is only committed by the other side. It's too bad NCT prints inflammatory comments like yours on their blogs.
esteban wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:46 AM:Count on HMMMM to come up with the most idiotic comment of the day.
to esteban wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:59 AM:No esteban I usually count on you to make the most "idiotic", rude, insensititive, provocative, and cruel comments every day.
Random Drug and Alcohol Screening wrote on Sep 8, 2008 10:14 AM:Must be coming from a Democrat, a Republican would always protect our rights, HAHAHAHAHAHA Yeah, lets give up our right to drink and smoke pot. PLEEEEEEZZZZZZZZ
Do you call wrote on Sep 8, 2008 12:47 PM:Just a curious question related to the subject matter at hand... We've all seen the CalTrans sigs "Report Drunk Drivers Call 911". Would you call when you see the car on the freeway barely able to stay in his lane, obviously driving erratically??
ToHmmm wrote on Sep 8, 2008 2:14 PM:Frank got nailed for breaking the law, just like ANYONE else who breaks our laws. Your logic is childish and twisted.
Cammie wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:50 PM:I've noticed that screen names or comments on any kind of message board that contain the term "hmmm" always turn out to be written by a rude liberal.
el gringo loco wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:22 PM:NOT SURPRISED ABOUT ALL THE RACIST
COMMENTS SPECIALLY ON EVERY NOTE EVERY DAY IN NCT.PLEASE GIVE A BREAK!!
To cammie wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:39 PM:And racist remarks are usually written by a rude conservative.
to el gringo loco wrote on Sep 8, 2008 10:10 PM:Maybe you should spell check bro...Thank you to the police, way to go...I burn but at least stay home and do not endanger anyone...SOUTH DARWIN LOCO
ToHMMM wrote on Sep 9, 2008 9:39 PM:Good point. I was thinking the same thing. Its funny how folks on here will claim to be non-racist yet use foolish language like "some" or "most" of them--these people never learn. Racist as ever.
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