2 dead in crash involving wrong-way driver on Highway 101 in Ventura; Drunk driving suspect arrested

VENTURA, California. (KABC)– Two people were killed early Saturday in a wrong-way crash on Highway 101 in Ventura, and a drunken driving suspect was arrested at the scene, authorities said.

Shortly before 2:30 a.m., 911 calls began reporting the driver of a Volkswagen Jetta traveling southbound in the northbound lanes at about 80 mph, the sergeant said. Ken Antonetti, spokesman for the California Highway Patrol.

Minutes later, the wrong-way driver crashed head-on into a Nissan Versa on the highway near Seaward Avenue.

Both occupants of the Nissan were clearly dead at the scene, Antonetti said.

The Volkswagen driver was taken into custody on suspicion of manslaughter and drunk driving.

The names of the victims and suspect were not immediately released.