CARUTHERS, Calif. (KFSN) — Anna Almeida is known statewide as a Caruthers High School instructor and head coach for the state champion girls basketball team.
The California Highway Patrol says around 5 p.m., Almeida was volunteering at the Caruthers Fair in Fresno County when she left the fairgrounds impaired while returning home.
Officers say the 44-year-old hit a parked car with someone inside at the time of the crash near Superior and Oak avenues in Caruthers.
Moments after hitting the car, Almeida continued to drive home, where she was later stopped by the CHP.
Investigators say the person inside the car suffered minor injuries and Almeida was not hurt.
Officers took Almeida into custody, later determining she was driving under the influence. Law enforcement believes she may have been drinking alcohol while volunteering at the fair.
She was arrested and bailed out within a few hours. The news surprising members of the community.
“I know that the individual involved in the accident was extremely committed to the students and the community of Caruthers,” Caruthers High School supporter Jimmy Monreal said.
Almeida dedicates her time outside of the classroom on the hardwood as head coach for the Blue Raiders girls’ basketball team.
“Individuals that coach after their position of teaching, working with students daily, put in numerous hours for pennies on the amount of time. It’s because it’s done for the love and passion of the game and love and passion for the students,” Monreal said.
Almeida was named Coach of the Year after securing a big victory for the program from a small town.
Action News was there when the Blue Raiders won a state championship title in Sacramento in March.
That victory made sweeter with her daughter also on the team.
“This feels equally as great because we really, really, really had to earn it and it wasn’t a 35-point victory,” Almeida said in March.
In addition to coaching, Almeida has held an educator authorization allowing her to provide instruction to individuals with autism since 2015.
