Shocking Auto Accident
Fresno resident Ruben Almaraz recently experienced a terrifying moment when he narrowly escaped a collision at the intersection of Tulare Avenue and Minnewawa Avenue in southeast Fresno. Almaraz was on a routine trip to retrieve his mail when a shocking incident unfolded, and he was just inches away from a serious accident. The entire episode was captured on his surveillance camera, leaving him shaken but grateful for his safety.
Almaraz recounted the ordeal, saying, "Walked right out here and started checking it, I saw the crash and... It’s on the video man. In my mind, I did somersaults." Although upon reviewing the footage, he realized he didn't actually do somersaults, he couldn't help but acknowledge the stroke of luck that spared his life. "One of my buddies told me don’t buy a lottery ticket, you wasted all your luck already in one shot," he humorously remarked.
What's concerning is that this isn't an isolated incident at the Tulare and Minnewawa intersection. Almaraz mentioned that the area has a long history of dangerous incidents, including a tragic accident a few years back where a child ended up in the trees nearby. Despite witnessing numerous accidents and reckless behavior, Almaraz had been unable to capture them all on his camera.
However, Almaraz hopes that his recent close call will inspire change at the intersection. He expressed his desire to see traffic lights or additional stop signs installed for safety. He revealed that approximately a year-and-a-half ago, he had reached out to Fresno City Councilmember Luis Chavez to express his concerns but hadn't received a response. Fortunately, after this harrowing incident, Chavez reached out to him directly and promised to initiate changes.
"Luis Chavez actually called me today and said that he was going to get a jump on it and put in some stop signs," said Almaraz. While he is cautiously optimistic, he hopes to see concrete steps taken soon to enhance safety at the troubled intersection.
KSEE reached out to Chavez, who confirmed that he would be meeting with City of Fresno Public Works Director Scott Mozier to establish a timeline for the installation of additional stop signs. It remains to be seen if these measures will address the longstanding safety concerns at Tulare and Minnewawa, but Almaraz's video serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency of the situation.
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