3 Hospitalized After Orange County DUI Crash Returning from Water Polo Game [Orange County, CA]

ORANGE COUNTY, CA (March 20, 2024) — Three individuals, including two high school students, are currently hospitalized in Orange County following a collision involving an alleged DUI driver. 

 

The Orange County DUI crash happened last Wednesday around 6 p.m. when Alexya Garcia, 15, Nathalie Berrelleza, 16, and Nathalie’s mother were just minutes away from home, near Paseo de Valencia and Los Alisos, after attending a water polo game at Laguna Hills High School.

 

According to authorities, they were struck by a driver who was purportedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The impact of the crash left them hospitalized a week later.

 

Family members recounted that the DUI driver made a left turn, lost control, and collided with the median before crashing head-on into their vehicle, allegedly at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.

 

Alex Garcia, Alexya’s older brother, expressed deep frustration, particularly regarding the suspect’s ability to post bail just a day after the collision. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old William Martensen, has a history of DUI convictions dating back to 2007, including a felony DUI in 2016.

 

Garcia emphasized the severity of his sister’s injuries, noting that she underwent a nine-hour surgery and has been battling for her life since the devastating crash. He described her extensive injuries, including damage to her small intestine, fractures, and severe bruising. Medical professionals have reported that both girls, freshmen at LHHS, are slowly recovering, although Nidia remains in critical condition.