Driver Arrested on DUI Charges after Multi-Vehicle Collision
MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (August 20, 2024) – An alleged DUI driver was arrested after a fatal, multi-vehicle crash Sunday night on Highway 145, just west of Road 29 in Madera County.
The five-vehicle collision occurred near the Santa Fe Railroad overcrossing around 11:15 p.m. on August 18th, according to the California Highway Patrol and Your Central Valley News.
CHP officials reported a suspected drunken driver in a Dodge Charger was heading west on Highway 145 when he allegedly crossed double yellow lines into eastbound traffic.
The 39-year-old Madera man driving the Dodge crashed into an oncoming Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by a 61-year-old Madera man.
The Ford pickup truck wound up on the south shoulder of Highway 145 and the Dodge came to a stop between the eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 145.
Meanwhile, an 85-year-old Marina man driving westbound in a Nissan Rogue at 60 mph could not see the blacked out Dodge in the middle of the highway and crashed into it. The Nissan spun out into the eastbound lane and was rear-ended by an oncoming Toyota Prius driven by a 30-year-old Madera woman. Those two vehicles had minor damage from the crash.
Finally, a 66-year-old Los Banos man traveling westbound in a 2020 Ram pickup truck crashed into the Dodge at 60 mph and pushed it onto the north shoulder.
Madera Man, 61, Killed; 4 Injured in Crash on SR-145
Paramedics responded to help those injured including the 61-year-old Madera man who was driving the Ford pickup truck who suffered severe injuries. He was airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center, but died at the hospital.
The 39-year-old Madera man driving the Dodge was also taken to the same hospital with major injuries.
Finally, the drivers from the Nissan and Ram, along with a passenger in the pickup truck, were treated at the hospital for moderate injuries.
Investigators suspected alcohol was a factor and arrested the driver from the Dodge at the hospital.
Johnson Attorneys Group does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Furthermore, Johnson Attorneys Group hopes this news information is timely and helpful. Additionally, if you would like to contribute any information, add a GoFundMe page or have legal questions, please call 1-(855) 703-4186 as soon as possible. Our personal injury law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
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