John Ryan Mantz Is DUI Suspect in Crash That Injured Dad and Daughter, 9

Updated at 11:25 a.m. Sept. 29, 2012

A 21-year-old man has been arrested for suspicion of felony drunken driving after a head-on collision that severely injured a father and daughter in San Diego Country Estates.

The driver, identified Saturday as John Ryan Mantz, was treated at a hospital for injuries he suffered in the crash at San Vicente and Ramona Oaks roads at 8:17 p.m. Thursday. Following hospitalization, he was arrested and held on $100,000 bail.

His arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in El Cajon Superior Court, according to jail records.

Mantz was driving a Ford F-150 west on Ramona Oaks Road when he crossed into oncoming traffic striking a blue Hyundai Veloster, said CHP officer Brian Pennings.

Firefighters cut away part of the Hyundai to remove the 9-year-old girl, who was flown to Rady Children's Hospital. Her father was airlifted to Sharp Memorial Hospital in a second helicopter.

Both were treated for broken bones and numerous lacerations, Pennings said.

Mantz was taken by ambulance to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido for
treatment.

Original story

A head-on crash Thursday night between a pickup truck and a Hyundai, possibly involving a drunken driver, has sent two men and an 8-year-old girl (later reported as 9) to three hospitals, said the California Highway Patrol.

CHP Officer Brian Pennings said a man driving a Ford F-150 truck crossed the double-yellow lines on westbound Ramona Oaks Road east of San Vicente Road and hit an eastbound Hyundai about 8:10 p.m.

The father and daughter were taken by helicopter to Sharp Mercy Hospital and Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, respectively, Pennings said.

The man driving the truck, suspected of DUI, was taken to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido.

The extent of injuries and identities of the victims were not yet known, and Pennings said no other details of the crash were immediately available.

NBC San Diego reported that the father and daughter were on their way home from soccer practice.

“CHP said the driver of the truck acted intoxicated at the scene and smelled of alcohol,” said NBC San Diego, which included photos of the wreckage. “He’s being investigated for a suspected DUI as officials investigate the cause of the accident.”