Jamestown, CA…On December 8, 2019 just after 6:00 pm, 68-year-old John William Birdsong of La Grange was driving alone in his 1990 Nissan Pathfinder southbound on State Route 49, North of Fifth Avenue at approximately 50 miles per hour. At that same time, 27-year-old George Hernandez-Mejia of Pittsburg, CA along with 6 occupants were stopped at the red traffic signal for southbound State Route 49 at Fifth Avenue in his 2013 Chevrolet Express Van. Due to Mr. Birdsongs unsafe speed for the stopped traffic ahead of him, he was unable to stop in time before the front of his vehicle crashed into the rear of Mr. Hernandez-Mejia’s vehicle. After the crash, Mr. Birdsong’s vehicle continued to travel off the north shoulder of State Route 49 and down an embankment.

20-year-old Kimberly Mondragon of East Adelanto and 26-year-old Kyi Thomas of Sacramento were both in Mr. Hernandez-Majia’s vehicle at the time of the collision. They both were transported by ground ambulance to Adventist Health, Sonora for minor injuries. Mr. Birdsong was also transported by ground ambulance to Adventist Health, Sonora for minor injuries.

During this investigation, it was determined that Mr. Birdsong was suspected of being under the influence of an alcoholic beverage placed under arrest while at Adventist Health, Sonora for Felony DUI. Mr. Birdsong was booked into the Tuolumne County Jail without further incident