Michael Sanchez, 30, a Madera County inmate, who failed to return from a funeral day-pass was arrested Friday, June 13, 2025, after a police chase and crash involving children. (Madera County SO)
Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A man serving time for domestic violence who failed to return from a court-approved day-pass was arrested after crashing during a police pursuit in Madera County, authorities said.
Michael Sanchez, 30, had been granted a temporary release from custody by a visiting judge from Fresno to attend his grandmother’s funeral in Salinas on Wednesday. He was scheduled to return by 7 p.m. but never showed up, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said.

Michael Sanchez
Deputies located Sanchez around 11 a.m. Friday after spotting his girlfriend, Marie Cruz Perez, 29, picking him up from an orchard near Avenue 23. Shortly after, the pair switched seats and Sanchez began driving, officials said.
When deputies attempted to pin in the vehicle, Sanchez rammed law enforcement vehicles and fled at high speed. Deputies noticed children inside the vehicle and did not pursue, the sheriff’s office said.
The vehicle later collided with another car at the intersection of Avenue 7 and Road 23.
That vehicle was occupied by Cruz Perez and two small children, authorities said.
Sanchez fled the crash scene on foot but was tracked by the department’s Falcon 1 aircraft and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Eagle 1 helicopter. He was taken into custody within 30 minutes, police said.
Authorities said that he now faces additional charges, including felony hit-and-run, assault with a deadly weapon, and felony child endangerment.
Cruz Perez was also arrested at the scene and charged with felony child endangerment and being an accessory.
The children in the vehicle were placed in the care of Child Protective Services.
—
Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.
RELATED TOPICS:
NATO Leaders Set to Back Trump Defense Spending Goal at Hague Summit
7 hours ago
Lender’s Intervention Halts City of Fresno’s Eviction Attempt at Granite Park
8 hours ago
Clovis Unified Faces Lawsuit Alleging Years of Neglect and Sexual Abuse at Fancher Creek
8 hours ago
Stephen Miller Expands Power in Second Trump Term, Defies Legal Limits
9 hours ago
Fresno Man Dies After Alleyway Attack. Police Investigating
9 hours ago
Cuomo Concedes to Mamdani in New York City Democratic Mayoral Contest
3 hours ago
Categories

Cuomo Concedes to Mamdani in New York City Democratic Mayoral Contest

Mamdani Holds Lead Over Cuomo in Democratic Primary for NYC Mayor

Fresno County’s New Breeding Ordinance Could Shut Down 50 Operations

NATO Leaders Set to Back Trump Defense Spending Goal at Hague Summit

Lender’s Intervention Halts City of Fresno’s Eviction Attempt at Granite Park

Clovis Unified Faces Lawsuit Alleging Years of Neglect and Sexual Abuse at Fancher Creek
