Driver of airborne BMW arrested for DUI

A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of DUI after he lost control of his vehicle that flew into the air on Interstate Highway 580 in Oakland and collided into another car on the opposite side of the freeway early this morning, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said.

CHP officers were notified of an accident that occurred on Highway 580 near 98th Avenue around 2:30 a.m., CHP Officer Sean Wilkenfeld said.

Randy Gauthier was driving a white BMW in the eastbound direction at speeds of about 100 mph and lost control of the vehicle, Wilkenfeld said.

The BMW traveled across the roadway, crashed into the center divide, became airborne and collided with a Hyundai on the westbound side of the freeway, he said.

A 22-year-old man driving the Hyundai in the westbound direction was unable to avoid the BMW and came to rest on the center divide and far left lane, Wilkenfeld said.

The BMW landed on its wheels on westbound lanes facing the wrong way, he said.

Gauthier and a 30-year-old man who was a passenger in his car both suffered major injuries and were transported to Highland Hospital, Wilkenfeld said.

The driver of the Hyundai suffered minor injuries and was also transported to Highland Hospital, the spokesman said.

Wilkenfeld said Gauthier, an Oakland resident, was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI, according to Wilkenfeld.

All westbound lanes were closed for about an hour after the accident, he said.

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