Visalia police arrest driver after a series of crashes

VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A man was arrested Friday night on charges of driving under the influence and for his involvement in a series of crashes, Visalia Police said.

Just before midnight, officers said they saw a white truck speeding before it crashed into a parked vehicle.

Following the crash, the driver sped off and left the scene.

Investigators said the pickup’s driver then struck a second parked vehicle in the 500 block of North Church Street and fled that scene, heading towards downtown Visalia.

Police said the truck went on to crash into Sebby’s Italian restaurant on Main Street, near Garden Street, and also struck a pedestrian standing outside.

The pedestrian is said to have sustained minor injuries, and police said the driver was taken into custody. 

Officers have identified him as 23-year-old Miguel Banda.

Banda was booked into the Tulare County Adult Pre-Trial Facility on seven counts, including suspicion of driving with a suspended license, resisting arrest, and reckless evasion of law enforcement.

His bond amount was set at $75,000, and he is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.