Teen Arrested after Fatal Crash in Santa Cruz

Mark Mendoza Zembrano, 18, of Santa Cruz, was arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter on Monday after his vehicle struck a 44-year-old woman who died of her injuries and injured a 15-year-old girl who is hospitalized.

He was also arrested on two counts of driving while under the influence in a negligent manner causing bodily injury.

The crash occurred shortly after 2 p.m. June 15 at intersection of Murray St. at Mott Ave.

The victims are related; their identities are being withheld, pending next of kin notification.

The 15-year-old is listed in serious but stable condition at Dominican Hospital.

Santa Cruz Police Department traffic investigators closed down the stretch of Murray Street between Seabright Avenue and East Cliff Drive while they processed the scene. Traffic was impacted for about 6 hours.

This investigation is ongoing. The Santa Cruz Police Department asks that anyone with information about this case contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Traffic Investigations Unit Sergeant Morey at (831) 420-5857.

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