AHWAHNEE — A New Year’s morning hit-and-run accident involving a blue Honda and maroon Jeep sent the driver of the Jeep to the hospital with minor injuries — and the driver of the Honda to jail after he tried to flee the accident scene.
EMS responded to the accident along with the California Highway Patrol and Madera County Sheriff’s deputies, who apprehended and arrested the driver of the Honda shortly after the accident as he reportedly tried to flee the scene on foot.
According to CHP, the traffic accident happened about 10 a.m. Wednesday morning near the intersection of Highway 49 and Road 600 just outside Ahwahnee.
Reports from the scene indicate the driver of the Jeep, said to be in his mid-20s, was heading southbound on Highway 49 when the driver of the Honda failed to yield at a stop sign at Sunrise Drive and T-boned the Jeep, which then rolled off the roadway.
Initial reports said the Jeep driver was pinned in his vehicle but that turned out not to be the case.
Highway 49 was temporarily blocked in both directions until first responders were able to tow the vehicles and clear glass and debris from the roadway.
Investigators on scene said drugs or alcohol did not appear to be factors in the crash.
