UPDATE: Driver in deadly Highway 1 crash behind bars

UPDATE 3/30/2016 1:45 PM: Lynnea Hernandez, facing DUI charges following a car crash in Moss Landing that killed two people, was released from the hospital and booked into jail.

According to the CHP, an officer was standing by when she was released to notify her of the arrest.

Since the CHP didn’t know when she would be released, officers issued a warrant for her arrest. When it comes to warrants, bookings happen at the nearest jail. In this case, that was the Santa Clara County Jail.

The warrant was set at $3 million, for two charges of gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI, and possession of methamphetamine. If Hernandez does not post bail, she will be transferred to the Monterey County Jail.

UPDATE 3/23/2016 4 PM: The California Highway Patrol has confirmed a second person in a head-on crash along Highway 1 near Moss Landing has died.

Lilian Scott, 22, was a passenger of a Lexus SUV. She was pronounced dead Wednesday afternoon, CHP said. Scott is from Colorado and was sent to a hospital in Santa Clara the day of the crash.

A 24-year-old Prunedale man also died in Monday’s crash.

UPDATE 3/22/16 2:00 PM: The Monterey County Sheriff’s office says Lynnea Hernandez, the driver of a Lexus SUV involved in Monday’s fatal head-on collision, is being charged with DUI resulting in injury or death, Gross Negligent Manslaughter and Possession of Methamphetamine (MDMA is categorized as a Methamphetamine).

Hernandez was transferred to Stanford Medical Center due to her injuries. There is no update on two passengers who are in critical condition.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s office has identified the 24-year-old Prunedale man who died in a head-on collision Monday afternoon. Nikolas Malliarodkis was driving a silver Mazda on Highway 1 just north of Castroville, when a Lexus SUV served into his lane and struck the car head-on. The victim died on scene due to “Blunt Force Trauma.”
Two college students have since been arrested in the fatal crash. CHP says the driver, identified as 19-year-old Lynnea Hernandez is still in the hospital.

UPDATE 3/22/16 12:30 PM: Monterey County Sheriff’s office released the booking photo of 19-year-old Sarah Cameron Tuesday morning.

Cameron was a passenger in the SUV involved in Monday’s deadly crash near Moss Landing.

CHP said UC Santa Cruz student was arrested for destroying or concealing evidence. Investigators said a witness called in and saw Cameron hiding something in a nearby field. CHP later said they discovered a makeup bag with what they believe was marijuana.

UPDATE 3/21/16 7:18 PM.: The California Highway Patrol has arrested two UC Santa Cruz students involved in a deadly crash on Highway 1.

Officers said the driver of a SUV involved in the crash has been identified as 19-year-old Lynnea Hernandez of Santa Cruz. Hernandez was arrested for DUI.

“We do suspect the driver of being under the influence of marijuana and prescription medication as well,” said Officer Oscar Loza with the CHP.

Loza said the group of seven students was heading to Big Sur for spring break.

“It’s spring break, people want to enjoy their time off, relax, get away from school and that’s great but when you do it, just do it responsibly. We don’t want your break from school to end in a tragedy like this,” said Loza.

A passenger in Hernandez’s vehicle, 19-year-old Sarah Cameron of Santa Cruz, was arrested for destroying or concealing evidence. Investigators said a witness called in and saw Cameron hiding something in a nearby field.

“So thanks to that caller we were able to locate a bag filled with marijuana,” said Loza.

And a bag of the Ecstasy pills said Loza.

Other passengers in the SUV include 19-year-old Lupe Velez of Santa Cruz, Lilian Scott of Colorado, Georgia Pullis of Colorado, 19-year-old Morgan Benninger of Colorado and 20-year-old Sydney Beyer of Santa Cruz.

UPDATE 3/21/16 5:25 PM: The California Highway Patrol said the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the fatal crash on Highway 1 is a student from UC Santa Cruz, along with four of her passengers. Two other passengers are visiting from Colorado.

The CHP says all but one of the passengers admitted to smoking marijuana and that the driver also took prescription medication at noon. The CHP also says it did find evidence of marijuana use in the SUV and credits a witness for helping them find a make-up bag with what officers believe is marijuana, hidden in the fields.

Two passengers have been flown to Valley Medical in San Jose while the driver is being treated for a lacerated liver, according to CHP.

Highway 1 is now open in both directions.

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California Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal accident Monday afternoon along Highway 1 nearMolera Road.

The crash involved two cars. Investigators say a Lexus SUV was traveling southbound with several university students, when the driver threw a cigarette out the window. The driver then ended up crossing into the northbound lane and hittingan oncoming Mazda. The driver of the Mazda was killed.

CHP is investigating to see if drugs or alcohol were involved.

The highway is closed in both directions.

Drivers headed southbound are being detouredat Dolan Road to State Route 156. Driversheaded northbound are detouring onto Molera Road.

CHP officials say the highway is expected to reopen by 6 p.m.

Tune in to KION at 5 p.m. for updates.