Foothills crash hospitalizes two; driver arrested

(Editor's note: This is an updated version of the story first posted Sept. 10, based on additional information from the California Highway Patrol.)

Two Yuba County foothills residents received major injuries early this morning in a vehicle accident near Forbestown, the California Highway Patrol said.

The CHP said alcohol was a factor.

According to a CHP press release, Andrew Fiske, 21, of Browns Valley was driving a 1992 Mazda MX3 north on Challenge Cut Off Road north of La Porte Road about 12:25 a.m. when he drove around a left curve too quickly and went off the right side of the road. He and his passenger, David Zabala, 42, of Loma Rica, were headed to Forbestown after drinking alcohol at the Willow Glen Cafe in Oregon House, then drinking for a couple of hours at a private residence, the CHP said.

After leaving the road, the Mazda tumbled several times down a hill for about 100 feet before coming to rest on its left side against an oak tree. Fiske was ejected and sustained major, unspecified injuries. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, before being taken to Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville.

Zabala was trapped in the vehicle and also suffered major, unspecified injuries and was taken to Oroville Hospital.

Neither man was wearing a seatbelt, according to the CHP.

Fiske faces a felony charge of DUI, according to the CHP.