18-year old killed in head-on crash with a pickup truck, suspected drunken driver arrested in Palmdale, CA

by The AV Times Staff • June 16, 2015

Daniel Colato was at the wheel of this 2004 Honda Accord, according to the California Highway Patrol. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA

A head-on collision between a car and a pickup truck in Palmdale left a young man dead and a suspected drunken driver in custody facing a possible murder charge, authorities said.

Eighteen-year-old Daniel Colato of Palmdale died at the scene of the crash, which occurred around 11:40 p.m. Monday, June 15, on 30th Street East near East Avenue Q in Palmdale, according to a California Highway Patrol report.

Daniel Colato was driving a 2004 Honda Accord southbound on 30th Street East when a northbound 2005 Ford F-350 pickup truck allegedly crossed into the southbound lane of 30^th Street East, “causing a head-on collision between the vehicles,” the CHP report states.

Galo Nelson Campana of Palmdale was driving this 2005 Ford F-350 pickup truck, which came to rest on its side. (LUIS MEZA)

Daniel Colato was killed, and his passenger, 22-year-old Kayla Colato of Palmdale, was taken to a hospital for treatment of major injuries, the CHP report states.

The pickup truck’s driver, 36-year-old Galo Nelson Campana of Palmdale, was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the CHP report.


Campana, who sustained minor injuries, was booked at the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station on suspicion of murder and held on $1 million bail, the CHP reported.