Man walking on Springville Dr. hit by car

A pedestrian suffered major injuries and a drunk driver went from victim to arrestee in a pair of traffic accidents in the Porterville area Saturday.

In the more serious of the two incidents, Gregory Chavez, 49, of Porterville sustained major injuries when he was struck by a car driven by Ana Lisa Camacho, 23, also of Porterville as he walked along the shoulder of Springville Drive near Sunset Street at about 8:30 a.m.

According to the California Highway Patrol’s report, Camacho was driving her 2008 Pontiac west on Springville Drive at an unknown speed when she allowed her car to drift onto the shoulder where Chavez was walking, striking him. Camacho’s car continued on, also striking a parked vehicle.

Chavez sustained major injuries and was airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. His condition has not been released.

Camacho was not injured in the incident, the CHP reported.

In the second incident, Lupe Mejia, 33, of Porterville found himself behind bars Saturday night after becoming involved in a traffic collision that appears to be the fault of the other driver.

At about 9:20 p.m., Mejia was driving his 2005 Audi north on Conner Street through the intersection with Success Drive, where Monserrat Arreguin, 20, of Porterville was waiting to enter traffic. According to the CHP, for unknown reasons, Arreguin drove her vehicle, a 2002 Ford, directly into the path of Mejia’s oncoming vehicle, forcing him to strike her car on the passenger side. His vehicle continued through a wire fence and into a brick wall.

Mejia and Arreguin’s passenger, Yadira Arreguin, 22, of Fresno, both sustained minor injuries as a result of the collision and were transported to Sierra View Hospital for treatment.

Mejia was later arrested by CHP officiers who suspect he was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision, the CHP said. Their investigation is ongoing.