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People killed in head-on, suspected DUI crash on Weedpatch Highway identified

CHP: Three killed in crash on Weedpatch Highway in Southeast Bakersfield
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Authorities have released the identities of the people killed Friday in a suspected DUI crash on Weedpatch Highway and Smith Road.

Alfonso Abarca Gaspar, 58, of Maricopa, Calif., was killed when the 2005 Toyota he was driving on Weedpatch Highway was hit head-on by a woman driving a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee at about 2:28 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. Denise Melinda Rivera, 31, of Bakersfield, was a passenger in the Jeep and was declared dead at the scene, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Office.

The driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Marcia Luqueleyson, 38, of Lamont, suffered major injuries, was taken to Kern Medical, and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to CHP.

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