Three-car collision in South Lake Tahoe sends one to hospital and one to jail

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after a three-car collision in South Lake Tahoe Monday evening.

At approximately 7:09 p.m. June 8, South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) responded to the call of a crash on Lake Tahoe Boulevard near Fremont Avenue.

According to SLTPD Sgt. Jason Cheney, the drivers of a blue Prius and a red Ford Explorer were traveling in the eastbound lanes of Lake Tahoe Boulevard at the same time a man was driving his Mercury Cougar in what he thought was the westbound lane. Cheney said the driver, 33-year-old Albaro Rosales, was actually in the middle turn lane at the time, then when he wanted to make a left-hand turn onto Fremont Avenue he drifted over into what he thought was the turn lane when it was actually the #1 eastbound lane.

At that time Rosales collided with the Prius, which was then knocked into the Explorer.

The driver of the Prius was transported to Barton Hospital with reported pain and bruising. The driver of the Explorer was uninjured and was able to drive their car away from the scene. The other two vehicles had major damage and had to be towed.

Rosales was booked into the El Dorado County Jail in South Lake Tahoe on charges of felony driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol level of .08 and causing bodily injury. His bail has been set at $50,000.

All three drivers are from the South Lake Tahoe area.