GRANITE BAY – Three months after the day when four men were killed in a fiery crash in Granite Bay, officials with the California Highway Patrol reported Wednesday that toxicology reports now confirm that the driver was driving under the influence when the crash occurred.
On the evening of Dec. 14, 2022, Jerry Cepel,61, was driving his 2016 Mercedes with three passengers when they crashed into a tree and caught fire near East Roseville Parkway, and Brackenbury Way in the Granite Bay area at a high rate of speed on East Roseville Parkway, reportedly en route to the Granite Bay Country Club.
Following a reported sudden movement by the driver, Capel’s vehicle swerved and struck three trees, catching fire and killing all four people inside the vehicle.
The passengers were 45-year-old Karan Pannu, 65-year-old Patrick Gainer and 53-year-old Paul Hammack. The accident left the community of Granite Bay shaken as the victims were well known in the community, leaving behind families in the tragedy.
Recently, Sierra Pannu, the wife of Karan Pannu, files a lawsuit against Granite Bay Restaurant House of Oliver.
Pannu cites that the establishment continued to serve Cepel even though he was reportedly intoxicated. The lawsuit names both Cepel and House of Oliver. It is unknown when the filing will proceed in court.
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