DUI driver faces 12 years after SR 41 crash

A Madera driver who plowed his vehicle into an oncoming car on State Route 41 faces in excess of 12 years in prison after being found guilty in a Madera County Superior Court trial.

The suspect, Donald Edward Anderson, was found guilty of all charges by a jury in Department 22 of the court on Dec. 11 after a three-week trial.

The trial was conducted by Deputy District Attorney Paul Hornick and finished by Deputy District Attorney Eric DuTemple, due to the fact that Hornick had active military duty.

The defendant was found guilty of a felony charge under Vehicle Code Section 23153(f), driving while under the influence of a drug and causing injury. He was also found guilty of a felony charge of Vehicle Code Section 20001(a), fleeing the scene of an accident, as well as a felony count of failing to appear in court, and a misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license.

Anderson was arrested on Feb. 26, 2017, after he crashed his vehicle into an on-coming vehicle at a speed of approximately 55 miles per hour on SR 41.

The accident injured two of the passengers in the on-coming car seriously. Anderson fled the scene and was later apprehended by officers from the California Highway Patrol approximately one mile from the accident.

Anderson was determined, through a blood test, to be under the influence of Alprazolam (Xanax) and cocaine. Due to his prior criminal record that includes two strikes, and also two prior DUI convictions, Anderson is facing in excess of 12 years in state prison.

The sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 11 in Dept. 22 of the Madera Superior Court.