Matt Azar, 20, Kendra Langham, 18, and Mathew Beardwitt, 18, dead after wrong-way collision with suspected drunk driver Aaron Jordon Caudillo, 24, on I-80 in Sacramento, CA

Modified Date:

Fri, 10/23/2015 - 6:15pm

Accident Date:

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Wrong-Way DUI Driver Sentenced To 14 Years In Sacramento Crash That Killed 3Teens

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for a deadly wrong-way DUI crash that claimed the lives of three teenagers in January. Aaron Caudillo, 24, was traveling the wrong way on Interstate 80 when hit hit a vehicle carrying three teenagers near Madison Avenue. The crash claimed the lives of Matt Azar, Kendra Langham and Matthew Beardwitt. Caudillo was the only survivor of the crash. The January crash was the first of a series of wrong-way crashes in the first half of the year that prompted calls for a warning system to alert drivers of wrong-way drivers.

Wrong-way I-80 driver gets 14 years for deadly crash

A Roseville man has been sentenced to a maximum 14 years in state prison for the death of three people in a wrong-way crash. Aaron Jordon Caudillo, 25, was driving under the influence during the early morning hours of Jan. 10 when he crashed his 2006 Chrysler 300 into a 1994 Buick Regal on Interstate 80, according to authorities. The three people inside the Buick – Matthew Azar, 19, Kendra Langham, 18, and Matthew Beardwitt, 18 – were all killed on impact. The California Highway Patrol said Caudillo’s headlights were off when he entered I-80 at Antelope Road, going the wrong way. Before the crash, several drivers called 911 and reported that there was a wrong-way driver on the interstate.

DUI Suspected In Crash That Killed 3 On Sacramento Freeway

A CHP spokesperson says the best way to avoid wrong-way drivers is to look ahead and move away from the fast lane.

Vigil Planned For Teens Killed In Wrong Way Crash On Interstate 80

A vigil will be held on Saturday for three teens killed in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 80.

Vigil Honors 3 Teens Killed By Wrong-Way Driver On I-80

“That’s what all three of the kids would have wanted. They wouldn’t want any of us to be sad or crying, they would want us to be happy celebrate the lives they led,” said Deana Galtieri, Matt’s aunt.

Money Raised After DUI Crash That Claimed Granite Bay Teens’ Lives Will Fund Awareness Efforts

Nearly two weeks after a suspected drunk driver hit and killed three Granite Bay High teens in a wrong-way crash, the community has rallied to raise money that is supposed to go to drunken driving awareness.

CHP: Wrong-way DUI driver from Roseville jailed in deadly I-80 crash

Aaron Jordon Caudillo, of Roseville, faces the following felony charges: driving under the influence, being over the legal blood-alcohol limit of .08 percent, and three counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while driving intoxicated, according to a news release from the California Highway Patrol.

Driver Accused Of DUI In Deadly Wrong-Way Crash That Killed 3 Appears In Court

He was booked into jail on charges of felony DUI, exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit and three counts of vehicular manslaughter while driving intoxicated in connection with the crash. The next hearing for Caudillo is on March 5.

Father Of Teen Killed By Driver Suspected Of DUI Talks To CBS13

Since the accident four weeks ago, Chris has slept in his son’s room. He surrounds himself with pictures of Mat.

It was about 2:00am when a car driven by Aaron Jordon Caudillo, 24, that was allegedly going the wrong way on I-80 struck a car containing Mat Azar of Roseville, Kendra Langham of Granite Bay, and Mathew Beardwitt of Roseveille. All three were killed, and Caudillo was injured and transported to a hospital. We will update this accident as more information is released. How can a lawyer help with an auto accident claim? First, having a lawyer on your side levels the playing field. The person who caused the accident is required to immediately turn the case over to his or her insurance company. The insurance company uses adjusters and lawyers who are specifically trained to deny or reduce your claim. This may include denying compensation to family members who are entitled to receive benefits for loss of companionship. Learn more here about what a lawyer does in auto accident cases.

Type: Car Accident

Topics:

DWI - DUI - Alcohol or Drug Use, Wrong-way Crash, Accident Topics: Teenaged Drivers - Young Adult Drivers

People Involved:

Aaron Jordon Caudillo

Matt Azar

Kendra Langham

Mathew Beardwitt

Roadway:

I-80

City:

Sacramento, CA

County:

Sacramento County, CA

Area:

Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, CA