Porterville woman, 24, injured in car crash

Alochol was a factor in the car crash that injured a 24-year-old Porterville woman this weekend near Waukena, the California Highway Patrol reports.

Patty Castro was a passenger in 1991 Toyota that veered into oncoming traffic and collided head on with a 2008 Nissan on Saturday on Highway 137, just east of Road 20.

The driver of the Toyota, Tulare resident Alejandro Martinez, 28, was killed in the crash as he suffered head trauma.

The CHP suspects both drivers of being drunk at the time the accident occurred.

According to the CHP, Corcoran resident Eric Edward Cole, 32, was driving the Nissan west on the highway when Martinez veered — for unknown reasons — into the westbound lane as he travelled east.

As a result, Cole suffered from a broken leg and was taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. He was later arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Castro was also taken to Fresno for treatment for small lacerations on her face.

Three other Corcoran residents were passengers in the Nissan: Paula Espinoza, Keidra Thomas, 28 and Joseph Cole, 27.

Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1050.