We have more information about the man who drove his car through a block wall near Friendly Hills Elementary School Monday. According to the California Highway Patrol, about 7:25 p.m., Matthew Castro, 43, of Yucca Valley, was driving a black 2011 Buick Enclave northbound on Sunny Vista Road at 40 to 50 miles per hour. Castro failed to stop at the posted stop sign at Sunny Vista and Alta Loma Road, and according to a witness, drove at “highway speeds” through the intersection and into the block wall on the south side of the school property. The front of the Buick slammed into the brick wall and perimeter chain link fence surrounding the school, and catapulted over an embankment, where it struck a rented commercial truck parked in the back lot of the school. After the collision, a witness called 911 and provided assistance to Castro until emergency personnel arrived on scene. Castro was transported to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs with moderate injuries. During the investigation, Matthew Castro was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, cited and released.
