Driver Blamed For Firery Fatal Crash On 101 Near Ventura Sentenced

Thursday February 20, 2025

(Photo courtesy CHP Ventura)

   Updated--The driver authorities blamed for a fiery fatal chain reaction crash on the Northbound 101 northwest of Ventura in May of 2023 has been sentenced.

     31-year-old Cody Zornes of Lancaster was in court Thursday and was given 12 months formal probation and six months in the Ventura County Jail to begin in two months.

     His license was revoked for three years.

     Meanwhile, Zornes is facing a long list of conditions to his probation that if violated could land him in prison.

     He had earlier pleaded guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter with Gross Negligence, a charge that the judge reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.

     Meanwhile three misdemeanors of reckless driving with bodily injury were dismissed at sentencing as part of the plea agreement.

     The crash happened around 9:25 AM Monday May 15, 2023.

     The authorities alleged that Zornes was traveling in a Ford F-550 pickup northbound on the 101 in the left lane at a speeds greater than 65 miles an hour when he rear ended a Toyota Tacoma pickup driven by 50-year-old Jose Zarate of Ventura.

     The CHP says that started a chain reaction crash that involved three other vehicles.

      Zarate's vehicle burst into flames and he was trapped inside.

      He died at the scene.

      Zarate's family members spoke at Zornes sentencing hearing.

      Meanwhile Zornes and the other drivers either suffered minor or no injuries.

      The CHP says alcohol and drugs were NOT a factor in the crash.