Driver Arrested & Car Impounded for Street Racing

Contributed by Clovis Police

@ClovisPolice_CA

Last night just after 11:00 P.M., an alert Clovis Police Officer noticed 2 cars street racing near Barstow & Minnewawa. The officer pulled over 1 of the 2 cars & arrested the driver for street racing & having an illegal modification to their car. As you can see from the photo taken by the officer, the driver’s car was also impounded for 30 days. To our residents & business owners: We have seen the increase in reckless drivers on our roadways just as you have. Our officers

Woman killed in car accident by off-duty Clovis Police Officer

Contributed by Clovis Police

@ClovisPolice_CA

April 24, 2023 - Announced by California Highway Patrol, a woman walking her dog north of Sanger along Clinton Avenue at Bethel, was struck and killed by an off-duty Clovis Police Officer.

The name of the officer has not since been released to the public.

Just before 8 AM on the morning of April 19th, 51 year-old Ana Ortega of Sanger was walking her dog alongside a paved roadway when a “Chevrolet truck” traveling in the opposite direction collided with the pedestrian.

The Clovis Police Officer pulled over after the incident and performed CPR until first responders arrived on scene.

However, Ortega was pronounced dead at the scene. Her dog survived the crash but has major injuries, and is currently being housed at the Fresno SPCA.

According to ABC 30, California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Salas stated that they are looking into the possibility of distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Clovis PD also recently posted on the City of Clovis’ website the “Dangers of Distracted Driving.” will continue to do their best to locate and arrest these drivers as much as possible. We ask that you continue to call and report them. If you witness the act & it’s happening now, call the non-emergency phone number at (559) 324-2800. If it’s an on-going problem & you have specific information as to a vehicle description and/ or location that it’s been occurring at, you can either call our Traffic Hotline anytime at (559) 324-3400, or provide a tip using our free mobile “Clovis PD” app.

“We are looking into all of that as well as [the possibility of] being distracted from the sun as he was traveling directly into the sun,” said CHP Officer Salas.

CHP ensures that the Clovis Police Officer is cooperating with the investigation. Clovis PD has stated that they have no comment due to the impending investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

To those drivers who make a conscience decision to drive recklessly & put lives at risk: Our officers will continue to cite or arrest you when a violation is witnessed. They will also tow or impound your car for up to 30 days when applicable. Please, slow down, and obey the laws of the road, or you’ll eventually meet at least 1 of our officers.