Teen Driver in Fullerton DUI Crash Faces Vehicle Manslaughter Charges

Personal Injury News- Local May 11, 2009

Fullerton – The police have filed charges of vehicle manslaughter against Jared Berggren, the 19-year old driver involved in a crash that killed two teenagers on Coyote Hills Drive west of Gilbert Street in Fullerton earlier this week.

The fatalities were later identified as Jacquelyn Ardalan from La Habra, and Miles Christensen from Fullerton, also 19 years old, and were passengers of the pickup. The driver survived the accident and was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Investigators said the three teenagers probably came from a drinking spree as police suspected that the three were drunk and over speeding. Reports said the pickup was travelling at high speed and lost control before it struck a tree and ejected the two passengers. The impact ripped off the roof of the truck.

The teenagers’ death brought to five the total number of vehicle accident-related deaths in Fullerton in four weeks. Just last month, Nick Adenhart, an Angels rookie pitcher, died in a crash also believed to be caused by drunk driving.

Meanwhile, the police said Berggren will be arrested as soon as he is in stable condition and released from the hospital.