A driver going the wrong way on the San Diego (I-405) Freeway in North Hills early Saturday was booked on suspicion of drunken driving and being in possession of a controlled substance after causing two collisions, authorities said.
Luis Castro, 21, of Sylmar was driving a 2001 Volkswagen north in the southbound fast lane near Nordhoff Street at about 1 a.m., California Highway Patrol officer Ed Jacobs said. A 2010 Honda CRV veered into the a middle lane to avoid Castro and struck a 2006 Ford F-150, causing minor damage to both vehicles.
Then, a 2006 Nissan Murano also trying to avoid Castro braked and was rear-ended by a 2005 Kia Amanti, also causing minor damage to both cars. The Kia driver was transported to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center with minor injuries.
Castro continued driving the wrong way while CHP officers stopped all southbound traffic to prevent further collisions, the CHP said. Castro, who was not injured, was arrested a short distance away. He was driving on a suspended license and had been free on $10,000 bail in another unrelated case at the time of the accident, Jacobs said.
-- Carla Rivera