The wife and teenage son of U.S. congressional candidate Abel Maldonado were in a car accident on July 23 that resulted in the death of a 30-year-old man.
According to a traffic collision report by the California Highway Patrol, Laura Maldonado was driving her Cadillac Escalade eastbound on Foxen Canyon Road at 55 miles per hour when a Honda Accord ran through a stop sign and collided with the Escalade. Both cars skidded into an irrigation ditch.
The driver of the Accord died at the scene. Laura Maldonado and her son were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center as a precaution.
CHP officers are investigating whether alcohol or drugs contributed to the collision.
Several hours after the car accident, Abel issued the following statement: “Monday afternoon, my wife Laura and son were in a terrible car accident in Santa Maria. Our deepest condolences and sympathies are with the family of the victim. There are no words that can lift the burden of grief and sorrow his family and friends are experiencing right now.
“My wife and son were taken to a local hospital in Santa Maria and underwent precautionary tests and were released Monday evening and returned home,” Maldonado continued. “Again, the thoughts and prayers of our entire family are with his family and friends.”
As of press time, the Sun was unable to identify the man who died.
This article appears in Jul 26 – Aug 2, 2012.