Marine Man Pleads No Contest in Fatal DUI Collision that Happened Near Spreckels in 2022

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Thursday, May 18 that 40-year-old Daniel Wetle of Marina, pled no contest to 1 count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, admitting an enhancement that he personally inflicted great bodily injury on the victim. On August 13, 2022, just after 6:00 p.m., Daniel Wetle was driving a rented BMW sedan westbound on Highway 68 near Spreckles when, due to his level of intoxication, he lost control of the vehicle and swerved into oncoming traffic. Wetle hit an eastbound Toyota Camry head on, killing the driver instantly and causing serious injuries to the passenger. California Highway Patrol officers contacted Wetle trapped in the driver’s seat of his vehicle shortly after the crash. Wetle was uninjured and exhibited signs of being under the influence of alcohol. A subsequent blood test showed that Wetle had a blood alcohol level of .101. Wetle faces up to 11 years and 8 months in state prison on these charges when he is sentenced on June 26, 2023.

The case was investigated by the California Highway Patrol and prosecuted by the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office specialized DUI Vertical Prosecution Unit. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Monterey County DA Releases Preliminary Information Concerning an Officer Involved Shooting Incident that Occurred Outside of Soledad on December 16

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni on December 19 released preliminary information concerning the officer involved shooting (OIS) which occurred at about 1:20 a.m. outside the city of Soledad on December 16, 2025. Just before 1:00 a.m., Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Pina, who has been a peace officer for 10 years all with MCSO, and Deputy Blain Councilman, each in separate patrol cars, were dispatched to 32097 McCoy Road. A resident at the farm labor camp reported a suspicious individual with a handgun whose white Honda 4 door sedan was parked in space 18 at the complex. Before parking there, the suspect drove around and around, stopped in front of the reporting party’s (RP’s) truck, and got out. The RP could hear music. Deputy Pina drove the lead patrol car and arrived just after 1:20 a.m. His dashcam video, which does not record sound but which he installed on his own and at his own expense, depicts the following: He drove down ...

King City City Council Announces Selection of José Arreola as New City Manager

January 7, 2025-Following an extensive recruitment process, José Arreola has been selected by the King City City Council to be its next City Manager. Arreola will replace Steve Adams, who is retiring after serving in the position for the past 10 years. Arreola was selected from 31 applicants and 8 finalists for the position. The King City City Council will formally consider the proposed city manager contract at its meeting on Tuesday night, January 13. Arreola's first day on the job is scheduled to be February 23. José Arreola has a distinguished career of serving the community with a particular commitment to youth. He has worked for the City of Salinas for 12 years as their Community Safety Program Manager, Community Safety Administrator and Assistant to the City Manager. Among other responsibilities, Arreola has led several programs to eliminate gang violence which aligns well with the City of King’s efforts and priorities. Prior to that, Arreola worked as an Educa...

King City CHP is searching for person of interest who fled the scene of a fatal crash in Greenfield

On Monday, September 16 at approximately 3:50 pm, a fatal traffic collision occurred on Metz Road south of Elm Avenue in Greenfield. The driver who caused the collision fled on foot and is currently outstanding. The California Highway Patrol King City Area is currently seeking the whereabouts of 31-year-old Agustin Santana-Moncada of King City who has been identified as a person of interest in the case. The King City Area is requesting assistance from the public in locating Santana-Moncada. Anyone with information is asked to contact the King City Area office at (831) 385-3216.

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