This is a nightmare that could happen to any driver, but even more to us, car guys. We all do our best, we scan the road continually and stay alert, we’re focused and anticipate any obstacles, we are responsible drivers for most of us. But when another driver, under the influence, decides to run a red light at 70 mph, there is not much to do, but brace and hope. That’s what happened to Martin !. while cruising along in his beloved 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday 4 doors on Valentine’s Day.
Pickup truck driver ran red light, causing multi-vehicle crash in central Bakersfield
On Valentine’s Day morning, Joanna Bojorquez-Higuera was in a hurry to get something. Not candy or flowers, or other items traditionally associated with the holiday. What she wanted was “something that makes you feel good,” according to her statement contained in newly-released police reports. She wanted “fetty,” Bojorquez-Higuera said, using the street term for fentanyl.
Bojorquez-Higuera was arrested after allegedly driving under the influence of a drug and speeding through a red light at the intersection of California and Chester avenues, crashing into other vehicles and injuring four people. One person suffered fractured ribs and tailbone, another a broken collarbone.
The 29-year-old has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of a drug causing injury, resisting arrest, reckless driving and driving on a license that was suspended or revoked for DUI, and is being held on $110,000 bail. She has two prior DUI convictions, police said.
Emergency responders were called to the intersection of California and Chester avenues just after 10:30 a.m. The department said the driver of Chevrolet pickup truck ran a red light and collided with three other vehicles at the intersection.
The 29-year-old has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence
Questioned at Kern Medical, Bojorquez-Higuera said she last used fentanyl two or three days earlier, according to reports filed in Superior Court. She said she didn’t know the last time she used methamphetamine, but the officer who questioned her noticed signs of possible drug impairment.
The officer wrote she had “jerking extremities, eyelid tremors, watery eyes and dilated pupils.”
Bojorquez-Higuera became aggressive and demanded her cellphone when told she was under arrest, the reports say. She also made bizarre statements, telling the officer, “I have no bones.”
When she tried to leave, the officer handcuffed her to a hospital bed, the documents say. She then spit at him and said, “I guess I’m gonna have to shoot you with an FN,” according to the documents.
The officer noted “FN” refers to a gun manufacturer. Bojorquez-Higuera is due back in court March 1.
When Martin posted pictures of the crash on our Facebook group, the first few comments were to inquire how it was doing, Quickly Martin re-insured us all and told us he was okay, but a bit shocked.
Few days later I contacted Martin and we started talking about what happened. On March 4th I drove all the way up to Martin’s place. During my visit he really explained what happened and how it happened. : “I was driving the car on the street that day when suddenly the crash happened. I’m not sure exactly what went on. I know my head hit the driver side window, but otherwise I must have black out. I also know the car slid 180° but I do not recollect anything else of the crash, which is good in my opinion, as I have no fear of driving again” Martin said. “what I’m sure of is that the car saved my life, in any other cars I’m not sure I’ll be okay or even alive!”
Martin is indeed okay. He has several cracked ribs, 21 stitches behind the left ear, bruises all over, but overall is doing well.
“What really bothers me is that I loved taking my grand kid for a ride in the Oldsmobile, and I won’t be able to do that anymore. Of course I loved my 55, but taking people for a ride in town was really my pleasure”
Unfortunately Martin did not have a full coverage insurance on the car. The female driver, responsible for the crash was, of course, not insured… Martin hired a lawyer, but does not know exactly how things will turn..
