Driver hits 14 vehicles on SR 99

A man wildly driving south on State Route 99 through Madera County was allegedly under the influence of drugs when he caused havoc on Wednesday, after reportedly hitting a total of 14 other vehicles in at least two counties, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man, Satinderjit Singh Bali, 50, of Lathrop, was south bound in a silver SUV about 8:30 a.m. when he reportedly began speeding and driving erratically, squeezing between slowing vehicles, sideswiping, cutting people off and crashing into cars. He was arrested in Fresno and charged with felony DUI and hit and run.

Drivers hit by Bali followed him south until he exited at Shaw Avenue in Fresno. When he slowed in traffic and pulled partially into a gas station, Bali was pulled from his SUV and bystanders sat on him until officers arrived to take him into custody.

An unidentified driver hit by Bali told news crews he wasn’t sure but he the thought the man was out to “hurt people,” and needed to be stopped.

At least two drivers sought medical attention at area hospitals for complaints of pain, bruising and whiplash.

The Madera office of the California Highway Patrol is currently investigating four of the incidents from Wednesday, and are requesting anyone witnessing the incident or also hit by Bali to contact them at 675-1025.