On July 27, 2014 at approximately 9:33 a.m., Los Banos Police Officers responded to a reported traffic collision near the intersection of West I Street and Cardoza Road.
Officers arrived and discovered a purple 2005 Chrysler 300 in the backyard of a residence, engulfed in flames. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree before catching fire. The driver, Ari Osiris Balverde Contreras, 21, of Los Banos was contacted at the scene and determined to have been driving under the influence.
Contreras suffered from what was described as minor burns to the arms. He was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital Los Banos for treatment.
Contreras was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol upon his release from the hospital.
“Drinking and driving greatly impairs a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. This is yet another example of the dangers associated with impaired driving; thankfully no one was seriously injured.
- Chris Borchardt, Police Officer
Contreras was booked into the Los Banos Police Department Jail on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol. He was later released on a promise to appear in court.
To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org
