Man arrested on charges for traffic fatality in Somis

The CHP recently filed charges against Pedro Castro, the driver of a truck involved in a fatal accident on rural Hwy. 118 in November.

Castro was charged with vehicular manslaughter in connection with the accident that killed Somis resident Bertha Valencia, 39. Valencia was married with two children.

The collision occurred when Valencia slammed head-on into the rear wheels of Castro's jackknifed 18-wheeler. The big rig had swerved after the driver attempted to break for stopped traffic.

Castro, who lives in Los Angeles County, was initially arrested on Jan. 4 on drug charges, according to CHP Sgt. Annie Vaught.

While Castro was in custody, authorities, having gathered sufficient evidence during a follow-up accident investigation, also filed charges of negligent vehicular manslaughter against him, Vaught said.

Castro was booked into the Ventura County Jail. The Ventura County district attorney will review the case.

- - Sylvie Belmond