CHP Makes Arrest in Deadly San Juan Crash

A Mission Viejo man has been arrested on suspicion of felony vehicular manslaughter and drunken driving in the crash that left another Mission Viejo man dead on the 5 freeway in San Juan Capistrano early Wednesday morning.

Ronald Payne, 58, was northbound on the freeway in his Lexus, pulling a Dilly trailer carrying a small boat when the boat slid off the trailer and into the northbound lane, the California Highway Patrol reported. At about 2 a.m., Payne reportedly parked his car on the right shoulder and walked into the traffic lanes to retrieve the boat. That's when he was hit by a Ford driven by John Hicks, 40.

"Due to his level of intoxication and the unsafe speed he was traveling, Hicks failed to react to the boat and the pedestrian, and the Ford struck [Payne], causing the fatal injuries," CHP spokesman Chris Goodwin said. "The Orange County Fire Authority pronounced him dead at the scene."

The case is still being investigated and has not yet been sent to the district attorney, who will ultimately determine if criminal charges will be filed. 

More information will be posted as it becomes available.