REEDLEY – One man died and another suffered minor injuries following a single-vehicle accident north of Reedley.
According to the California Highway Patrol, at about 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 27, the two individuals, both 18, were traveling westbound at a high rate of speed on Vino Avenue. At the intersection of Vino and Jim Savage Road, their vehicle, a Honda Accord, left the pavement and struck an irrigation pipe, causing the vehicle to crash into a field.
The driver, Isael Acevedo, died at the scene. He is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. The passenger, Jorge Medina, suffered minor injuries.
CHP Public Information Officer Mike Salas said the vehicle traveled 200 to 250 feet and turned over multiple times before coming to rest in an orchard.
“They took out a dozen trees,” said Salas.
The men, neither of whom was wearing a seatbelt, were ejected. Workers in the orchard came to the assistance of the two men.
Salas said that while Medina was being treated in the ambulance, he became combative. When CHP officers intervened, Medina bit both officers on their arms. He was eventually restrained. He has been charged with assault on a police officer. Medina was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He will be booked into Fresno County Jail when he is released from medical care.
“Mental illness factors may have contributed,” said Salas about the biting. He also said he believed the two men were driving to a residence located in the area.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this story was updated at 4:07 p.m. PST on Nov. 27, 2024 to include information from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
