Paso Robles man killed, Two injured in solo-vehicle crash on Nacimiento Lake Drive; DUI arrest made

By STAFF REPORT · Mon May 11 2026

PASO ROBLES — One person was killed and two others were injured in a solo-vehicle crash Saturday evening on Nacimiento Lake Drive, west of Frazier Road, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

CHP officials said the crash occurred on May 10, at approximately 7:19 p.m. when a 2015 Chevrolet Camaro, driven westbound by Paso Robles resident Joseph Mitchell Pate (44), left the roadway for reasons still under investigation. Authorities said the vehicle traveled off the north edge of the road before the driver overcorrected, causing the car to cross both lanes and strike a tree on the south side of the roadway.

A 48-year-old Paso Robles man seated in the rear passenger seat was pronounced dead at the scene. A 41-year-old Paso Robles man in the front passenger seat sustained minor injuries. CHP said Pate was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following the crash and then transported to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The investigation remains ongoing through the CHP Templeton Area office.