Crash Near Oroville Turns Deadly; Oakley Man Taken Into Custody
BUTTE, CA, (July 30, 2025) - A tragic crash near Oroville claimed the life of a 19-year-old woman and left her brother seriously injured on Wednesday after an allegedly impaired driver crossed into oncoming traffic, according to California Highway Patrol.
Zohie Lonsberry, 19, tragically lost her life Wednesday in Butte County after a two-vehicle crash involving a suspected drunk driver, authorities said.
Authorities said the collision occurred along Highway 162 near Loafer Creek State Park when a Dodge Ram 1500, driven by a 38-year-old man from Oakley, veered over the double yellow lines and struck a Toyota Corolla head-on.
The Corolla, driven by Zohie Lonsberry, a State Parks employee, sustained catastrophic damage in the crash. The impact tore the roof off the vehicle and caused it to overturn. Sadly, Lonsberry was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 22-year-old brother, David Lonsberry, was a passenger in the vehicle and was transported to the hospital with major injuries.
Officials reported that the Oakley man has a prior history of DUI offenses. He was arrested at the scene and now faces multiple felony charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing injury.
CHP is continuing to investigate the incident and urges anyone with information to come forward.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Drunk driving isn't just reckless—it's deadly, claiming 34 lives daily in the United States. All those deaths are preventable. In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA).
An independent investigation will be required to learn other potential factors in the case, including the results of a test or tests to determine the blood-alcohol content levels of the driver.
“Drunken and drugged drivers are subject to criminal charges following an accident or collision that causes harm or kills another person,” explained Candice Bond, a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “Separate from criminal charges, the family of a victim may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party,” said Bond.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a victim during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that drunk drivers are held accountable for their reckless actions,” added Bond, an experienced DUI accident attorney.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation results, the family members of Zohie Lonsberry may be entitled to a wrongful death claim for medical and funeral expenses, the loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person's death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
“When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, family members are usually left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist.”
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).