A high-speed crash at a busy Fresno intersection last week left a trail of destruction stretching more than 500 feet after a muscle car went airborne.
Investigators say the driver of the Dodge Charger Hellcat was traveling at an excessive speed at Shaw and Maroa Avenues on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
As the vehicle crested the road near the intersection, it became airborne then slammed down and plowed through a series of objects along the corridor.
The impact sheared off a street sign, tore through a bus stop — including the bench — twisted a business marquee, shattered storefront windows, struck a parked vehicle and gouged into a brick wall before finally coming to rest nearly a block away.
Authorities estimate the path of destruction covered more than 500 feet.
Despite the extensive damage and the vehicle being declared a total loss, the driver walked away “unharmed,” according to the California Highway Patrol.
The owner of Cell Tech, who wished to remain anonymous, described the chaotic moments as the crash unfolded while working inside.
“I was working on an iPhone. My wife was right next to me,” the business owner told The Bee. “We pretty much just heard a loud explosion. When I looked up, you could see debris flying. That’s when I told my wife, ‘Take the kids, go back to the room. Let me see what’s going on out there.’”
He said when he ran outside, the damage was immediately visible.
“The USPS mailbox on the right-hand side was hit,” he said. “The trash can was gone. The bus stop bench and the little shade awning were ripped off. Our whole business sign complex was totally twisted. I looked down the block and thought, ‘What is that?’ He had hit so far that he was almost at the end of the block — basically to the next light.”
The force of the crash sent the bus bench flying into a handicapped parking space area, and a metal pole struck the glass windows of the business. Part of the debris also hit the shop owner’s own vehicle parked outside.
“When I ran over there, the kid came out. He was all cut, but he was fine. He came out alive,” the owner said.
CHP continues to investigate the collision, but officials confirmed that speed — not alcohol or drugs — was the determining factor in the violent crash that left a corridor of damage.
Another crash occurred on Monday at the intersection when a vehicle struck a car in front, leaving debris at the intersection. One victim complained of pain.
Debris left behind after a vehicle went airborne at Shaw and Maroa avenues in Fresno, California on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. SPECIAL TO THE BEE
A window at Cell Tech was broken after debris struck it after a vehicle went airborne on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. SPECIAL TO THE BEE
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Anthony Galaviz writes about sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He’s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology.
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