Wrong-way driver dies in Madera County crash, CHP says, with 3 children among those hurt
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A man was killed while driving the wrong way early Sunday along a foggy road in Madera County, the California Highway Patrol reported, triggering a crash that left a woman and three children in another car hurt.
The wrong-way driver may have been intoxicated, the CHP said, but the investigation was continuing late Sunday morning. His name had not been released, pending identification and notification of family.
Authorities first received calls about 12:11 a.m. of a vehicle traveling west in the eastbound lane of Avenue 12 at Road 37 1/2, according to CHP Madera Area Public Information Officer Greg Rodriguez.
Officers arrived at the site of the crash about 12:18 a.m.
Investigators said they determined that a gray Toyota RAV4 was going the wrong way on Avenue 12, approaching Road 36 1/2. It crashed head-on into a white BMW headed west on Avenue 12.
“Preliminary investigation reveals the driver of the Toyota RAV4 may have been intoxicated and was not wearing a seat belt,” Rodriguez said.
No alcohol or drug use is suspected on the part of the BMW driver, who had three minor passengers with her, he said. The children were taken to Valley Children’s Hospital, and the woman was taken to Community Regional Medical Center.
The driver was the only person in the Toyota, Rodriguez said.
More details about the crash were expected to be made available later Sunday.
This story was originally published November 14, 2021 at 11:41 AM.
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