Drunken driver slams into semi, sheering car in half, runs to sister’s house, CHP says

The California Highway Patrol says a man driving drunk slammed into the back of a semi-truck Thursday night before running from the scene and trying to break into his sister’s house nearby.

Reynaldo Santos, 28, was speeding south on Chestnut Avenue between North and Central avenues around 7:15 p.m., according to a news release from CHP.

His 2009 Hyundai collided with the left rear of a Freightliner driven by 54-year-old Raul Gonzalez. The impact sheered the Hyundai in half, and left the passenger side 200 feet away from the crash, CHP said. Gonzalez was not injured.

Santos, who is from Fresno, was able to flee his vehicle and run to his sister’s house, according to the news release. CHP, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the Fresno Police Department all set up a perimeter in the area.

Santos’ sister called 911 as her brother tried to get inside her house within the perimeter, CHP said. Officers arrived and Santos was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

He was taken to Community Regional Medical Center with minor injuries and will be booked into the Fresno County Jail upon his discharge from the hospital.