Mendota, CA — In the early evening of Thursday, October 1, 2026, Jesus Martinez Tello was arrested in relation to a hit-and-run collision in which DUI is suspected, and one person was injured, according to KSEE/KGPE.
The Mendota Police Department reports that the collision took place at the intersection of Highway 33 and Naples Street soon after 6:00 PM.
According to initial investigations, Tello had allegedly been driving a gray Nissan pickup truck northbound on Highway 33 when he collided with the rear of a Toyota pickup truck, injuring the driver. He then fled the crash site.
Investigators responding to the crash soon located Tello near the scene at Highway 33 and Bullard Avenue. Mendota PD stated that Tello was arrested and booked into Fresno County Jail on charges including felony hit-and-run and DUI resulting in injury.
The identity of the Toyota’s driver had not yet been released as of the time of reporting.
California DUI Law
Section 23153(a) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that it is illegal for any driver to “Operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, cause bodily injury to someone else.”
Mendota DUI Hit-and-Run Crashes and Personal Injury Claims
Suspects like Jesus Martinez Tello should be considered innocent until proven guilty, and further investigations may reveal evidence that changes the picture of an accident from how it first appears. If convicted, Mendota might be considered to have committed “negligence per se,” meaning that by violating traffic safety laws, he would automatically meet the legal definition of negligence, increasing his liability in the accident.
However, Tello may still be found liable for the Toyota driver’s injuries even without a criminal conviction. The Toyota driver may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim against Mendota’s insurance provider. A personal injury claim can provide compensation to recover damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Mendota Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been harmed in an accident like this one on Highway 33 in Mendota, consider reaching out to a California personal injury lawyer with any questions and to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation.
