Felony DUI

On 10-19-21 at approximately 10:55 pm, the Chico Police Department Dispatch Center received a report of a reckless vehicle on Esplanade near Panama Avenue. The vehicle was described as a white Ford Mustang with a white racing stripe. Officers from the Chico Police Department checked the area and were unable to locate the vehicle.

On 10-20-21 at approximately 12:50 am, officers from the Chico Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of W. 1st Avenue and Esplanade regarding a traffic collision. Officers arrived on scene and located a green Ford Mustang with a white racing stripe was involved in the collision.

During an on-scene investigation, officers learned the driver of the Ford Mustang, 19-year-old Rebecca Griffiths, was traveling southbound on Esplanade when she ran a red light at the intersection of W. 1st Avenue colliding into a vehicle traveling westbound on W. 1st Avenue. The collision caused the Ford Mustang to be pushed off the roadway into the traffic signal control box which controls the traffic lights for this intersection.

The driver of the other involved vehicle received some minor injuries as a result of the traffic collision and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Based on Griffiths’ objective signs of intoxication officers conducted a DUI investigation. At the conclusion of the DUI investigation, Griffiths was arrested for felony DUI due to the injuries the other driver sustained.

Due to the damage of the traffic signal control box, the traffic lights at W. 1st Avenue and Esplanade are not operational. The Chico Department of Public Works responded to the scene and posted stop signs at the intersection until the traffic signal control box can be repaired.
Chico, Ca.-

Location: W. 1st Avenue and Esplanade
Victim: Withheld
Suspect: Rebecca Griffiths (19 y/o)
Supervisor: OIC Marshall
Commander: Lt. Omar Pena