FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The Madera County Farm Bureau President was arrested after a DUI crash that left one person with major injuries, officers say.
It happened April 11 just after 1:00 a.m. on Avenue 12 east of Road 24 1/2 in Madera County.
According to the California Highway Patrol, 21-year-old Omar Valencia was driving a 1997 Jeep on Avenue 12 and Madera County Farm Bureau President Tejpal Mahil was driving a 2016 Land Rover.
CHP says 41-year-old Mahil was driving very fast and due to Mahil being highly intoxicated by alcohol, he failed to react to the Jeep. The Land Rover then collided with the rear end of the Jeep.
CHP says the impact caused Valencia to be thrown from the Jeep and onto the roadway. The Jeep continued out of control collided with an irrigation ditch. The Land Rover continued to travel and eventually overturned.
CHP says Mahil was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs causing bodily injury and driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury.
Valencia was transported to the hospital and sustained major injuries.
Tejpal (Jay) Mahil is also a part of Fresno State’s Foundation Board of Governors.
Madera County Farm Bureau Executive Director Christina Beckstead released the following statement regarding Mahil’s arrest:
“The Farm Bureau is very saddened to hear about the incident. They had no previous knowledge of the incident until today, it was news to them. The board will meet and decide how to proceed forward. any other questions should be directed to Mahil’s attorney.”
