King City woman dies in 2 vehicle crash on State Route 198

On Sunday night, November 3 at around 7:38 pm, 39-year-old Kyle Griffith of Simi Valley was traveling westbound on State Route 198 east of Pine Valley. Griffith attempted to pass another vehicle illegally by crossing the center double yellow lines to pass a vehicle. At the same time, 42-year-old Atilano Garcia of King City was traveling eastbound of State Route 198 east of Pine Valley approaching the location where Griffith was attempting to pass the other vehicle. Griffith's truck collided head-on into Garcia's truck in the eastbound lane. Garcia's truck came to rest partially on the south shoulder, while Griffith's truck rolled and caught fire on the north shoulder. The fire spread to a brush, but was contained at 500 feet. The passenger in Garcia's truck 35-year-old Nazaria Rivera Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene, while Garcia was ejected from his truck sustaining major injuries and was airlifted to a hospital. Griffith and his passenger 35-year-old Jared Folks were able to climb out of the truck prior to the fire spreading. Folks also sustained major injuries and was also airlifted to a hospital. Alcohol was a factor in the collision and Griffith was placed under arrest for DUI, while received minor injuries from the accident.