Originally published 10-2-23 via Facebook
by the City of Madera Police Department:
“Last night there were two fatal traffic collisions, and another that could have been fatal, in the City of Madera. Intoxication was a major factor in all of these incidents. In the first case, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while crossing the 700 block of South G Street. The pedestrian appeared to be intoxicated. The driver of the vehicle stayed on the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. In the second case, a driver lost control of their vehicle, struck a center median, and rolled into a field near Madera Avenue and Gary Lane. The driver of that vehicle is believed to have been intoxicated. They died as a result of the collision. In the third case, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while walking in the 200 block of Central Avenue. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation. The pedestrian appeared to be intoxicated. The pedestrian was transported to CRMC and is expected to live.
The apparent trend in these cases is intoxication. The Madera Police Department conducted a DUI checkpoint on Friday and has several traffic-related enforcement operations (many of them DUI-related) planned for October. In fact, we arrested 39 people for driving under the influence in September, and 22 people for public intoxication. We would rather prevent a tragedy through enforcement than have to notify family members of a death. We ask the community to do their part. Public intoxication, to the point of wandering down a roadway in traffic, is never acceptable. In fact, it’s a crime. And of course, driving while under the influence of alcohol is never acceptable.”
