California: Jose Manuel Lopez‑Perez charged with DUI when he killed Estefania Soto in head-on crash, her child is fighting for life

CHP and Sonoma Sheriff’s deputies investigate fatal head-on crash scene Nov. 14, 2017. Photo courtesy of The Press Democrat Beth Schlanker

Jose Manuel Lopez‑Perez charged with DUI when he killed Estefania Soto in head-on crash, her child is fighting for life

From The Press Democrat

A Boyes Hot Springs woman died and a 7‑year‑old girl was fighting for her life in a Bay Area hospital after a suspected drunken driver in a pickup truck crossed into the opposite lane and smashed head-on into their car Tuesday morning in CHP and Sonoma Sheriff’s deputies investigate fatal head-on crash scene Nov. 14, 2017, according to the CHP.

Estefania Soto, 27, died in the 7:45 a.m. crash on Highway 12. The girl, a Sonoma Valley second-grader, was riding in a pink booster seat in the back of Soto’s Nissan Sentra. She suffered life‑threatening injuries and apparently wasn’t breathing when bystanders pulled her out of the car, according to authorities.

The group laid her on the ground and started CPR, possibly saving her life, said Sonoma Valley Fire Chief Steve Akre.

“What they did was truly heroic. It made a huge impact on the outcome and gave (the 7-year-old) a chance to live,” Akre said.

The driver of the pickup, Jose Manuel Lopez‑Perez, 25, of Santa Rosa also was saved by bystanders, who pulled him from his burning 2004 Ford truck.

CHP officers later arrested Lopez‑Perez on suspicion of driving under the influence but he remained hospitalized due to his injuries, said CHP Officer Marc Renspurger.  MORE

Estefania Soto and her daughter Facebook

Soto worked at Crush Beauty Bar, which posted the following on their Facebook page:

It is with a heavy heart we share with all our Crush clients and friends the loss of Estefania Soto. To say we all loved Stef is an understatement. We all NEEDED Stef, we NEEDED her bubbly laugh, contagious smile, vibrant energy, creative talent, and her loving demeanor to make our salon and lives whole. Stef, you will be missed by SO many and we are all here praying for Kaliyah. Your Crush family and all of Sonoma has suffered a devastating loss. We love you and we miss you.
A sincere thank you to all who have called, emailed, texted, and kept us in your thoughts and prayers. We are grieving over the loss of a wonderful woman and we have closed the salon for today. We plan to reopen tomorrow but are making sure our staff is well to be back at work. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this difficult time.
Please take a moment to look through the photos we have shared to show you happier times with Stef and Kaliyah. Please comment below with a memory of Stef or just let us know how you are feeling. We need our community now more than ever. ❤️ the Crush Team: Jerica, Casey, Danielle, Hayley, Rose, Karime, Georgia and Annagelly.
@nias_worldd @beautyby_stef @ Crush Beauty Bar