Manteca, CA (March 6, 2025) – A suspected drunk driving crash claimed the life of 62-year-old Rebecca Arndt of Stockton.
Accident Details: The crash occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Highway 99, north of Jack Tone Road. Authorities say a 35-year-old Manteca man, allegedly driving a GMC truck under the influence of alcohol at high speed, was traveling northbound when he collided with the left rear of Arndt’s Ford Escape. The impact sent her SUV northeast into the No. 3 lane and right shoulder. Arndt succumbed to her injuries later at the hospital.
After striking Arndt’s vehicle, the GMC truck also crashed into the left rear of a Freightliner tractor-trailer operated by a 39-year-old Lathrop man. It is unknown if any criminal proceedings will be initiated against the suspected DUI driver.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: Driving under the influence impairs judgment, reaction time, and motor skills, increasing the risk of fatal crashes. Authorities will conduct toxicology tests to determine the GMC driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the crash. In addition to suspected intoxication, authorities will assess whether speeding or reckless driving contributed to the crash.
Key Evidence: Authorities will collect critical evidence to determine the full circumstances of the crash, including toxicology reports, surveillance and dashcam footage from nearby vehicles or businesses, witness statements from other drivers and passengers, and vehicle damage assessments to reconstruct the sequence of impacts.
If investigators determine that negligence caused this fatal accident, Arndt’s family may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim. This claim seeks compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering.
I offer my condolences to Rebecca Arndt’s family and loved ones.
Source: ABC 10