Fresno Woman Arrested for Alleged Drunk Driving, Hit-and-Run Traffic Collision
FRESNO, CA — “On Saturday, August 29, 2026, at approximately 6:07 pm, Fresno Police Department Officers were dispatched to a traffic collision near Shields Avenue and Fowler Avenue regarding a traffic collision where one of the drivers had children in her vehicle, was possibly under the influence, and left the scene of the collision. Fresno Police Department Motor officers located the vehicle traveling westbound on State Route 180.
Fresno Police Department’s Helicopter Crew, AIR1, arrived overhead and provided updates while the Motor Officers followed from a safe distance. AIR1 crew’s updated the Motor Units by telling them that the vehicle was driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed. AIR1 crew witnessed the vehicle driving along the shoulder, tailgating vehicles, and sideswiping another vehicle. The vehicle exited the freeway at westbound State Route 180 at the Blackstone Avenue/Abby Avenue off ramp at a high rate of speed The vehicle drove off the right side of the road and into a dirt embankment, then down the embankment, and back up, entering the on ramp for westbound State Route 180. The vehicle collided with the guard rail. The driver attempted to continue driving, but the vehicle was unable to move due to the extensive front end damage.
A juvenile that was in the front right passenger seat of the vehicle exited the vehicle and ran to a motor officer asking for help. Officers detained the female driver, later identified as 41-year-old Brooke Smith. The juvenile that ran from the vehicle had visible injuries to her head caused by the collision. A second juvenile in the vehicle also had complaint of pain due to the collision.
Officers noticed that the driver was extremely unsteady on her feet, had slurred speech, and had a strong odor of alcohol emitting from her breath. After a DUI investigation was conducted, Smith was arrested for DUI (drugs and alcohol), reckless driving, hit-and-run, and felony child endangerment. Smith was booked into the Fresno County Jail.
Please avoid driving under the influence and report any reckless driving you witness.”
