Kids Hurt in Weekend DUI Crash

Two 6-year-old children were among the seven people hurt Saturday night when an alleged drunken driver veered into oncoming traffic and hit two other vehicles head-on, the California Highway Patrol reported.

"Thankfully, both children involved in the collision are recovering," CHP officer Sarah Jackson said in a prepared statement.

The crash happened at 9:23 p.m. Saturday on Holohan Road, on the outskirts of Watsonville. Devon Lynn Salse, a 26-year-old Watsonville woman, was driving her 2002 Ford Escape north on Holohan when she crossed over the double yellow lines and collided head-on with a Pontiac Grand Am and a Nissan Altima just south of Green Valley Road, according to the Jackson.

Salse had a 6-year-old boy in her vehicle at the time, the CHP reported. He suffered moderate injuries and was released to a relative.

People in the other vehicles were more seriously injured.

The 45-year-old Watsonville woman driving the Pontiac suffered major injuries. She and her passenger, a 39-year-old Watsonville man, were both flown to Valley Medical Center for treatment. Jackson said his injuries were "moderate." Both remain hospitalized.

Three Watsonville residents in the Altima were treated at Watsonville Community Hospital for minor injuries: a 6-year-old girl and two women, ages 24 and 54, according to Jackson.

Salse, who refused treatment for her injuries, was arrested for felony DUI causing injuries and child endangerment. She was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail, according to the CHP.

Jackson said, people's "best defense against a DUI driver is a seat belt and their full attention on the road. Everyone in this collision was wearing their seat belt and that certainly made all the difference."

Pajaro Valley Fire and Watsonville Fire responded to the crash, along with American Medical Response medics.