Man arrested for DUI, woman killed in early morning Madera County crash

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A young woman was killed and a man has been placed under arrest after an early morning crash in Madera County.

The California Highway Patrol says they believe the man was driving while under the influence.

A badly-damaged truck and a destroyed car covered Ellis Street near Fairview Street in Madera County before the sun came up Monday.

The CHP said 38-year-old Michael Messer was driving his truck eastbound on Ellist street just before 4 a.m.

A 20-year-old woman was headed westbound on her way to work.

"The male driver, again, was driving the wrong way and went head-on with the Chevy Malibu," CHP Madera Officer Javier Ruvalcaba.

The young woman died at the scene.

Messer was not wearing a seatbelt and was badly injured.

He was taken to a Fresno hospital and later placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI.

"There were plenty of indicators in the vehicle," Officer Javier Ruvalcaba said. "We had alcoholic containers in the vehicle and then some other drug paraphernalia."

Court records show this is not Messer's first DUI Arrest. In 2018, he was arrested for DUI.

He pleaded no contest and was given three years of probation.

In 2020, he was arrested again for DUI. His license was suspended during the court process.

He failed to appear for a hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

"There is no reason to get behind the wheel and cause a tragedy such as this morning. it's just uncalled for and unnecessary," Officer Ruvalcaba said.

According to the CHP, since January 1, 2023, there have been 67 DUI crashes in the Madera County area.

That's down compared to the 103 DUI crashes for the same time last year.

On the other hand, arrests are up.

So far this year, Madera CHP has arrested 456 people for DUI.

That's compared to 365 in the same time frame last year.

"Getting behind the wheel, drinking and driving, the likelihood of you getting arrested is high especially if you're in Madera because we're out there proactively enforcing the laws." Officer Ruvalcaba said.

The woman who was killed has not been identified.

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