A large crash involving 11 cars on the 101 Freeway near the Camarillo Springs Road exit was caused by a wrong-way driver who was under the influence, authorities say.
The California Highway Patrol initially responded to reports of a wrong-way driver traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of the 101 coming from Camarillo at about 12:05 a.m. Sunday.
The vehicle — a 2008 Honda Civic — “quickly” caused a crash, striking multiple others head-on according to the CHP.
The first vehicle that was struck, a 2016 Honda Civic, sustained major damage and its sole occupant had to be extricated before being transported to Los Robles Hospital.
The driver was identified by CHP on Sunday afternoon as Luis Ocampo Cardoso, 24, of Santa Barbara.
Cardoso was arrested for driving under the influence after being hospitalized for injuries sustained in the crash.
The affected stretch of the northbound 101 Freeway was closed for nearly two hours and 50 minutes due to the investigation, law enforcement officials said.
Where Cardoso entered the freeway and how far he had driven before the collision are still under investigation.