Firearms found in solo collision

For The Madera Tribune

A handgun was among two firearms found in a traffic collision that stemmed from speeding early Friday morning.

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Madera Police Department Field Training Officer Joshua Gibbs and Officer Hermosillo were on patrol when they observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. 

The vehicle continued northbound on Highway 99 and was soon out of sight early Friday morning.

A short time later, dispatch received reports of a traffic collision near Avenue 16 and Highway 99. 

The two officers responded to the scene, and immediately recognized the crashed vehicle as the same vehicle they had observed speeding just minutes earlier. Upon arrival, they found the solo-vehicle collision on the offramp, but the vehicle was unoccupied.

While searching the area, officers located two individuals, identified as Edwin Ramirez and Lesay Munoz, attempting to hide in a nearby field. 

During the investigation, officers discovered that Munoz, a convicted felon, was in possession of a firearm. A subsequent search of the crashed vehicle led to the discovery of a second firearm.

Both subjects were arrested and booked into the Madera County Jail on multiple weapons-related charges.

Thankfully, no one was injured as a result of the collision. This incident serves as another reminder that speeding can have serious consequences. Thanks to the keen observations and quick response of our officers, two firearms were removed from the hands of individuals prohibited from possessing them.