Oceanside CA— On Monday June 27^th, 2016 at approximately 6:20 AM, Oceanside Police Officers responded to a report of a traffic collision in the 100 block of Magdalena Dr. Witnesses reported that a woman, later identified as 29 year-old Oceanside resident Esteysi (Stacey) Sanchez, had walked away from the scene while officers were responding. Officers arrived and located the victim in the passenger seat of the vehicle (Pontiac sedan) with obvious major injuries. Paramedics responded and the victim, a 69-year-old Oceanside resident, identified as Jack Ray Tenhulzen, was pronounced dead on scene.
Initial investigation revealed Sanchez was driving east on Mission Ave when she left the roadway for unknown reasons and struck the victim while he was walking on the sidewalk. The force of the collision caused the victim to go through the windshield of the vehicle and become lodged in the front passenger seat (where he was eventually located by officers) . Sanchez re-entered the roadway and continued driving east on Mission Ave to the 100 block of Magdalena Dr. with the victim still in the vehicle and his detached leg on the trunk. Sanchez parked the vehicle and walked away before officers arrived. The distance between the collision scene and where she abandoned the vehicle is about one mile.
A short time later, Sanchez’ live-in boyfriend called the police and reported the incident. Officers were able to contact Sanchez at her residence in the 100 block of Avenida del Gado; her residence is approximately two blocks from where she left the vehicle.
Based on statements obtained from Sanchez and preliminary tests in the field, it was determined she was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision. Sanchez was ultimately arrested and booked into the Vista Detention Facility.
Officers from the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating and are still looking for anyone who witnessed the incident. Witnesses can contact the Oceanside Police Department at (760) 435-4911.
Arrested
29-year-old Oceanside resident Esteysi (Stacey) Sanchez was identified by officers as the driver of the vehicle and arrested for felony DUI, felony hit and run and vehicular manslaughter. She was booked into the Vista Detention Facility.