DUI Driver Causes Violent Crash and Injures Two 

August 6, 2025 – Madera CHP officials report that on Monday, August 4, 2025, at approximately 3:25 p.m., CHP Madera Are officers responded to a crash involving two vehicles, at the intersection of Avenue 18 ½ and Road 19 ½.

A 56-year-old man from Gonzales, CA was driving a RAM 2500, southbound on Road 19 ½, approaching the intersection at Avenue 18 ½. A 67-year-old man from Madera, CA was driving a 2010 GMC Yukon, eastbound on Avenue 18 ½, approaching Road 19 ½. At this location, traffic on Avenue 18 ½ has the right-of-way and traffic on Road 19 ½ is controlled by posted stop signs.

As the driver of the RAM approached the intersection, he crossed over double yellow lines to pass a big rig traveling in the same direction ahead of him, and blindly entered the intersection at a high rate of speed. The RAM T-boned the left side of the GMC and caused a chain reaction. After the impact, the RAM traveled in a southeasterly direction, collided with a stop sign, power pole, overturned, and came to rest against a house, located on the southeast corner of the intersection. The GMC traveled in a southeasterly direction, collided with a tree, fencing, and came to rest inside an irrigation canal, southeast of the intersection. The jaws of life were used to extricate the driver out of the GMC, who was then transported by SkyLife Air Ambulance to Community Regional Medical Center, with major injuries. The passenger sustained minor injuries and was not transported.

The driver of the RAM was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was placed under arrest. He was subsequently booked at the Madera County Jail for felony DUI. The driver of the RAM sustained minor injuries, and all parties were wearing their seatbelts.

Driving under the influence doesn’t just risk your life – it can destroy someone else’s. Don’t be the reason for someone’s forever grief.

Source & photos: Madera CHP