By Loretta Kalb
lkalb@sacbee.com
A woman passenger died Saturday night when the car being driven by a birthday celebrant crashed in an orchard by Highway 160 in southern Sacramento County, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said today.
The woman died at 10:35 p.m. at the crash site at Walker Landing in the Sacramento River Delta after cardiopulmonary resuscitation administered by both a passersby and by emergency personnel were unsuccessful, said Officer Michael Bradley, spokesman for the CHP's south area office.
Sacramento County Coroner's officials identified the deceased woman as Eva Vargus, 49, of Antioch.
Bradley said Vargus and her daughter, Rosario Moreno, 25, also of Antioch, were not wearing seatbelts. Moreno was sitting in the front-seat of the southbound silver 2008 toyota Camry.
Vargus was in the backseat of the vehicle, which was being driven at an estimated 60 mph, Bradley said. The driver, 30-year-old Matthew Taylor of Concord, apparently lost control of the car on a turn, Bradley said, adding that Taylor faces charges of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.
Moreno was able to climb to the road and get help from a passersby, who tried for 15 minutes to resuscitate Vargus. Arriving medical personnel from CALSTAR trauma air rescue tried for 20 minutes more to revive the woman.
The driver of the car, who turned 30 on Saturday, suffered lacerations and damage to one eye socket. He was flown to University Medical Center and admitted for treatment.
Moreno was taken to UC Medical Center, treated and released, Bradley said.
Call The Bee's Loretta Kalb, (916) 321-1073.
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