DUI-related CAR CRASH: Driver suspected of DUI after a head-on crash

June 10, 2010

Los Angeles - A head-on collision on Highway 49 caused minor injuries to two men and left one woman in critical condition, Wednesday night, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported.

According to the CHP, Grass Valley native Nicholas Vafiadis, 29, was driving southbound on the highway near Alta Sierra Drive at around 8:30 p.m. when he lost control of his 2000 Chevy Tracker.

The vehicle drifted over the double yellow lines and into the path of Ingrid Des-Tombes, 39, who was driving a 2003 Ford pickup. The vehicles end up on the northbound lane and on to the shoulders after colliding head-on.

Des-Tombe was taken to Sutter Roseville Medical Center and is now in critical condition, according to the hospital’s spokeswoman Robin Montgomery. Michael and Rex Des-Tombe, who were also in the pickup, were hospitalized after suffering moderate to minor injuries.

Vafiadis was taken to Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital before he was headed out to Wayne Brown Correctional Facility for suspicion of felony driving under the influence causing bodily injury. His bail is at $25,000.

Traffic along the highway was controlled for 45 minutes while emergency personnel worked the scene.