OXNARD, Calif. — A local driver arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence died at a medical center hours after being involved in a broadside collision at an Oxnard intersection, law enforcement officials announced.
Click here to view the official Oxnard Police Department news release regarding this fatal crash investigation.
The complex investigation is being handled conjointly by collision reconstruction specialists from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Bureau and investigators from the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Authorities identified the deceased motorist as 52-year-old Sergio Martinez, a resident of Oxnard. The driver of the secondary vehicle involved in the crash was identified as 34-year-old Oxnard resident Maria Cortez.
Late-Night Broadside Collision and Initial Field Investigation
According to an official incident release issued by Oxnard Police Department Sergeant Mike Gens, emergency dispatchers received 911 calls at approximately 10:52 p.m. reporting a multi-vehicle traffic collision near the intersection of West Fifth Street and Portofino Place.
First-responding patrol officers and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel arrived at the scene and located two passenger automobiles—a 2003 Toyota Corolla and a 2015 Dodge Charger—resting in the intersection with moderate collision damage.
Officers contacted Martinez and Cortez, who were the sole occupants inside their respective vehicles. Cortez reported suffering minor physical injuries and was transported via ground ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) in Ventura for precautionary medical evaluation.
At the crash site, Martinez reported no physical injuries and formally refused emergency medical treatment from paramedics.
Preliminary field inquiries revealed that Cortez had been operating her 2015 Dodge Charger westbound along West Fifth Street. Simultaneously, Martinez was driving his 2003 Toyota Corolla through a commercial industrial park located in the 3400 block of West Fifth Street.
Investigators determined that as Martinez pulled out of the industrial park driveway onto West Fifth Street, he failed to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. His Toyota Corolla entered the path of the westbound Dodge Charger, resulting in a severe broadside impact between the two passenger vehicles.
DUI Arrest, Sudden Medical Crisis, and Hospital Fatality
During their initial on-scene interaction with Martinez, investigating patrol officers observed distinct physical indicators suggesting impairment by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.
Officers initiated a standardized driving-under-the-influence investigation at the scene. Based on field observations and driver evaluations, officers placed Martinez under arrest for operating a motor vehicle while impaired.
Following his arrest, officers arranged for an ambulance to transport Martinez to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard for routine medical clearance prior to jail booking.
While inside the emergency room at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Martinez began complaining of internal physical pain. A short time later, his condition deteriorated rapidly; he became unresponsive and lost consciousness in the treatment area.
Despite emergency life-saving efforts initiated by hospital medical staff, Martinez could not be revived and was formally pronounced deceased at approximately 1:42 a.m.
"Sergio Martinez displayed signs of impairment by alcohol and/or drugs. Officers conducted a DUI investigation and arrested Martinez for driving while impaired... Martinez complained of pain while in the emergency room of St. John’s. A short time later he became unresponsive and lost consciousness. At about 1:42 a.m., Martinez was pronounced deceased," the Oxnard Police Department detailed in its official media advisory.
"Oxnard Police Traffic Investigators and the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office were notified of the crash and subsequent death of Martinez. Traffic Investigators responded to the crash scene and took over the investigation," public safety officials added.
Joint Investigation and Officer Contact Details
Traffic reconstruction specialists returned to the 3400 block of West Fifth Street to map the scene, collect vehicle telemetry, and catalog physical evidence. Investigators noted that excessive speed did not appear to be a primary contributing factor in the initial collision.
The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office is performing a comprehensive autopsy and toxicology analysis to determine the exact physiological cause and manner of Martinez’s sudden death.
Public safety officials remind drivers that operating any motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs, or illicit substances drastically impairs judgment, reaction speed, and spatial awareness, posing fatal risks to all road users.
Anyone who witnessed the collision, observed either vehicle prior to the crash, or has information relevant to the investigation is urged to contact lead investigating Corporal Joseph Clarke at (805) 385-7750 or via email at joseph.clarke@oxnardpd.org.
General tips can also be submitted to the main Oxnard Police Department line at (805) 385-7600, or after-hours Watch Commanders at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778. Official updates can be accessed on the Oxnard Police Department Official Newsroom.