Teen Not Drunk in Crash That Killed 4

A 19-year-old driver who plowed into a minivan, killing a Sonoma family of four after a Thanksgiving vacation, did not have alcohol in his system at the time of last month's crash, authorities said Thursday.

California Highway Patrol officials also said that they've found no evidence that Steven Culbertson had been at a bar prior to the crash, despite initial reports that the teenager was seen at one.

CHP Officer John Sloat says investigators were surprised that alcohol tests came back negative because of the way Culbertson was driving. He crashed into several cars, including the one that Susan Maloney, her husband, John, and their two children -- Grace, 5 and Aiden, 8.

Authorities say the teen was going 70 to 90 mph when he ran a red light and hit the minivan carrying Johnathan and Susan Maloney and their two young children on Nov. 28. They say there's no indication that he had tried to brake.

More tests will be done to determine if he was under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs. Investigators will also continue to interview Culbertson's family and friends to try to figure out his state of mind during the crash.

Culbertson later died at the hospital.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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