Impaired driver struck and injured pedestrian near Oasis Road intersection
December 24, 2025 | Redding, CA
A pedestrian suffered significant injuries after a vehicle collision in north Redding on Christmas Eve.
Authorities reported that the driver was impaired by prescription medication during the incident.
Tonya Stonkey, 50, of Redding, was arrested for DUI causing bodily injury after striking a pedestrian near Lake Boulevard and Oasis Road in north Redding.
What Happened in the Crash?
The collision occurred near the intersection of Lake Boulevard and Oasis Road. Redding police responded to the scene where a vehicle struck a pedestrian. The unidentified individual was rushed to a local hospital with serious but non-fatal injuries.
The driver, identified as 50-year-old Tonya Stonkey of Redding, faced arrest and booking into Shasta County Jail on charges related to driving under the influence, causing injury.
Key Details of the Incident
- Date: Dec. 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve)
- Location: Near Lake Boulevard and Oasis Road, north Redding, CA
- Victim: Unidentified pedestrian with major, non-life-threatening injuries
- Driver: Tonya Stonkey, 50, of Redding, arrested for DUI causing bodily injury
- Vehicle Involved: Passenger car
- Agency: Redding Police Department, investigation ongoing
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Impaired driving remains a leading cause of pedestrian incidents nationwide. Drivers under the influence of medications or alcohol exhibit slowed reactions and impaired decision-making, increasing crash risks.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 2014 to 2023, approximately 11,000 fatalities occurred annually in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. Prescription drugs can produce similar effects, contributing to preventable tragedies.
Year Range |
Annual Average Fatalities in Impaired Driving Crashes |
Source |
|---|
2014-2023 |
11,000 |
NHTSA |
Recent Trends |
Increase in medication-related impairments |
CDC |
This table highlights the persistent danger, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and enforcement.
Legal Insights
National legal analysts provide valuable perspectives on pedestrian safety and accountability in such cases.
“In cases such as this, pedestrians generally have the right-of-way at intersections or streets, whether in a crosswalk or not. Drivers are obligated to yield,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal.
Key takeaways from analyst insights:
- Preserve evidence promptly to establish negligence in impaired driving scenarios.
- Investigations require specialized resources to analyze factors like impairment and road conditions.
- Time-sensitive actions can determine the viability of claims related to medical costs and lost wages.
Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal, emphasized the broader implications:
“Victims in collisions may pursue claims to address medical expenses, ongoing care, income loss, and emotional distress. Insurers often minimize these costs, but legal support ensures fair compensation.”
These insights focus on general motor vehicle crash dynamics, promoting safer roadways through accountability.
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If you, a friend, or a family member has been injured by a hit-and-run or drunk driver, contact national legal analyst Candice Bond for a free consultation.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).