Visalia, CA (May 22, 2026) – A suspected drunk driving crash on Walnut Avenue left two children hurt and their mother under arrest on Thursday evening. The accident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of Ben Maddox Way and Walnut Avenue.
Margarita Rodriguez was driving eastbound on Walnut Avenue with her three children, ages 8, 7, and 2, when she lost control of the vehicle. The car swerved off the road and struck a tree. As a consequence, the front of the vehicle was severely crushed on impact, the airbag deployed, and the windshield shattered.
The 7-year-old was not hurt, while the 2-year-old and the 8-year-old were evaluated for injuries. Rodriguez was taken into custody following the collision. No further details about the children’s injuries were available at the time of this report.
Investigators are working to establish the full circumstances of the wreck, and additional information is expected as the case develops.
We hope both kids make a swift and complete recovery.
What Are the Risks to Child Passengers in a DUI Crash in California?
Children riding in a vehicle driven by an impaired driver face a significantly higher risk of being hurt than those in cars operated by sober drivers. Impaired driving slows reaction time and reduces the ability to maintain control, making sudden swerves and off-road departures far more likely.
In crashes where a vehicle strikes a fixed object, such as a tree, the force tends to concentrate at the front of the car, where structural damage is often most severe. California law treats driving under the influence with a minor in the vehicle as an aggravated offense, which carries heavier penalties than a standard DUI. Child safety seats and proper restraints can reduce injury risk in these crashes, though they cannot fully offset the dangers of a high-force collision.
