Categories: Car Accidents

Ventura School Bus Driver Strikes & Kills Pedestrian, Arrested for DUI

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) believes that driving under the influence of drugs may have been a factor in a fatal Ventura pedestrian accident on Wednesday, September 26.

According to local news sources, 54-year-old Joanne Madaule was transporting 11 school children in a school bus on Wednesday afternoon just before 3:00 p.m. when her vehicle struck 75-year-old Marguerita McIntosh of Ventura, who was using a crosswalk. The accident, which involved a City of Ventura School District bus, occurred at the intersection of Woodland Street and Brookshire Avenue. The bus had just left Mound Elementary school and was en route to dropping the children off at their homes.

The pedestrian suffered multiple traumatic injuries and was rushed by emergency responders to Ventura Medical Center for treatment. She later died of her injuries.

Neither the bus driver nor the children riding the bus were injured in the accident. Madaule was evaluated by authorities at the scene of the California bus accident and was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence (DUI), causing injury and felony vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. The CHP stated that they believed the school bus driver was under the influence of drugs while operating her vehicle. They did not state whether she was speeding or driving recklessly at the time of the collision.

Maduale, who is also from Ventura, was release on bond from Ventura County Jail the day after the accident. Her first court date is in early October.

The California pedestrian accident attorneys at Russell & Lazarus send their deepest condolences to the loved ones, family, and friends or Marguerita McIntosh.

Shawn