Watsonville man struck and killed by wife’s car after heated argument

A Watsonville woman was taken into custody after a verbal argument led to the death of her husband.

According to Watsonville Police, 46-year-old Eugenia Olivarez was drinking at a party with her husband, 37-year-old Jaime Rodriguez on the 300 block of Manor Avenue when the two started fighting. Around 8:47 p.m. that night on November 18, officers were dispatched to the area for a vehicle vs. pedestrian accident.

Officers found the victim, Rodriguez dead in the street. Investigators determined that the driver of the car was his wife, Olivarez. She was found sitting in her car at her home.

“Olivarez got into her vehicle to leave and Rodriguez attempted to stop her. It appears that Rodriguez was hanging on the vehicle while Olivarez drove away. Rodriguez fell from the vehicle and was struck by the vehicle causing fatal injuries,” said Sgt. Brian Ridgeway.

Olivarez was arrested for DUI causing death, and gross vehicular manslaughter.