Suspect rips out hydrant

A Madera man has been charged with driving under the influence following an accident that put one person in the hospital.

Amrocio Garcia, 24, was intoxicated when he hit a fire hydrant on Sunset Avenue and Westberry Boulevard, ripping it out of the ground, and then driving into a tree, according to Madera Police Cpl. Josh Chavez. There were reportedly two passengers in the vehicle with Garcia when the wreck occurred.

“Unfortunately, the front seat passenger was not wearing a seatbelt; he needed to be taken to Madera Community Hospital by ambulance because of his injuries,” Chavez said. “The rear seat passenger was wearing a seatbelt, and did not suffer any injuries.”

Garcia was reportedly driving on a suspended license, and was found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.24 percent, three times higher than the legal limit of 0.08 percent...