BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A woman accused of driving under the influence when she crashed a Mercedes-Benz into a home along Taft Highway, seriously injuring three people including a child, has been charged with three felonies.
Madison Williams, 26, is charged with two DUI injury offenses and causing an inhabited dwelling to burn, according to the Superior Court website. Her arraignment is scheduled Oct. 6.
According to court documents, a preliminary alcohol screening performed on Williams returned blood-alcohol content readings of 0.16 and 0.15 percent, twice the legal limit of 0.08. Williams had blood on her face and clothes and smelled of alcohol, officers said. She said she drank a margarita with her father that evening.
The crash happened around 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 14 when Williams’ 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 plowed into a home at Old River Road and Taft Highway, according to the California Highway Patrol. The house caught fire and its occupants managed to escape.
Family members said Princedeep Joshan, 25, his wife, Rajwinder Joshan, 25, his father, Balwinder Joshan, 61, and 21-month-old Rohundeep Joshan were inside at the time and the ceiling fell on them.
Court documents say the child and two others suffered broken bones. The child had a fractured skull, broken left arm and broken ribs, and the adults had spinal fractures, among other injuries, reports say.
Williams suffered minor injuries, according to CHP.
She told officers she was driving north on Old River Road and was going to turn left on Taft Highway then continue on Old River Road.
“She went straight through the intersection and did not stop at the stop sign,” officers wrote. “She related she was driving an approximate speed of 50 to 55 mph. She related she could not see because there is no light in the area. She then crashed into the house.”
Williams told officers she has driven through that intersection multiple times and knows the road shifts to the left. Officers took her to Kern Medical to have her blood drawn then booked her into jail. She’s free on $20,000 bail.
The court website shows a woman with Williams’ name and year of birth was charged with a DUI in June.