Madera County, California (December 31, 2025) — Hours before the arrival of the new year, a devastating crash in Madera County claimed the life of Isabella Marlene Nevarez, a 21-year-old Madera resident, and another adult passenger after a suspected drunk driver ran a stop sign and collided with a big rig, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Incident Details: The collision occurred late Wednesday night at the intersection of Avenue 13 and Road 23. CHP officials said a white SUV was traveling westbound on Avenue 13 when it failed to stop at a posted stop sign and entered the intersection, where it was struck by a big rig traveling on Road 23 that had the right of way.
Five adults were inside the SUV at the time of the crash. Authorities confirmed that two occupants were killed, including Nevarez. The second fatal victim has not yet been publicly identified. CHP reported that only one person inside the SUV was wearing a seat belt and was able to walk away from the wreckage. The remaining occupants were ejected from the vehicle due to the force of the impact.
The driver of the SUV, identified as a 31-year-old man from Madera, sustained major life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, though officers said he was released to medical care due to the severity of his injuries. The driver of the big rig was not injured.
Investigation: The California Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash. In suspected DUI collisions at rural intersections, investigators typically focus on right-of-way violations, driver impairment, and whether traffic control devices were obeyed. CHP officers have stated that the SUV ran the stop sign before entering the intersection, a key factor in the investigation.
Investigators are expected to review physical evidence from the scene, including skid marks, debris patterns, vehicle damage, and the position of the detached axle, to reconstruct the sequence of events that occurred. Toxicology results will be central to confirming impairment, along with an examination of vehicle speed and whether alcohol played a direct role in the driver’s failure to stop.
Legal Considerations: Suspected DUI crashes remain among the most preventable causes of fatal collisions, particularly when they involve large commercial vehicles. A big rig has significantly less ability to stop or evade a vehicle that suddenly enters its path, even when the truck driver is operating lawfully.
From a civil perspective, cases like this often involve both criminal and wrongful death considerations. Pending the investigation’s findings, Isabella’s family and the family of the other deceased individual may pursue wrongful death claims to address funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the profound emotional and financial toll of losing a loved one. These claims exist independently of criminal proceedings and focus on accountability for the harm caused by impaired driving.
I extend my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Isabella Marlene Nevarez and to all those grieving the lives lost in this tragic crash.
Source: ABC30 / KFSN