Tulare County sheriff’s sergeant dies in off-duty high speed crash near Hanford, CA
Tulare County Sheriff Sgt. Mike Yandell died late Saturday in a solo vehicle crash near Hanford. Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Facebook
By Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado
cdelgado@fresnobee.com
Tulare County sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Yandell died late Saturday in an off-duty crash in Kings County.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Yandell’s death and via Facebook, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux offered his sympathies.
“We are hurting with the loss of our friend,” Boudreaux said.
The Kings County Sheriff’s Office said a collision was reported just before midnight Saturday in the 12000 block of 7th Avenue in Kings County, southeast of Hanford.
A release from the California Highway Patrol Sunday said a 38-year-old Visalia man died in a rollover accident at the 7th Avenue location.
CHP said the man was driving alone in a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup south on 7th, south of Houston Avenue, at an undetermined speed.
For an unknown reason, the CHP said, the driver made an unsafe turn to the right shoulder of 7th and eventually crossed both lanes, crashing into a dirt embankment.
CHP said the Silverado overturned and the driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected. The driver died at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation, the CHP said.
On Facebook Sunday, Sheriff Boudreaux said Yandell was a personal friend and was a “passionate man that loved the sheriff’s office.” Boudreaux said Yandell’s father, Darrel, is a retired sheriff’s lieutenant.
“I ask for the prayers of the community and law enforcement family for the Yandell family at this time,” Boudreaux said.
Boudreaux said Yandell served as president of the Tulare County Deputy Sheriff’s Assocation since 2013, where he made sure families were cared for during tragedies.
He said he wants everyone to honor Yandell’s legacy and support Yandell’s family.
Yandell is survived by his wife and two children, according to the sheriff’s office.
Yandell was hired in 2000 and promoted to sergeant in 2012 when he was assigned to the Pixley sheriff substation. His latest assignment was with the Sheriff’s Agricultural Crimes Unit, which he began one year ago, the sheriff’s office said.
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The crash happened on 7th Avenue south of Highway 198 in Kings County when Sgt. Mike Yandell lost control of his vehicle causing it to rollover, killing him. (KFSN)
By Cory James
Updated 11 mins ago
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Tulare County Sheriff's sergeant is dead after an overnight, off-duty rollover crash, said Tulare Sheriff Mike Boudreaux.
The crash happened on 7th Avenue south of Highway 198 in Kings County when Sgt. Mike Yandell lost control of his vehicle causing it to rollover, killing him. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash but the California Highway Patrol said he was not wearing his seatbelt. Also, since the road is very straight and clear of obstructions and since he rolled over several times, it is possible that he was speeding and/or fell asleep at the wheel.
Sheriff Boudreaux said Yandell was a detective with the agriculture unit and a veteran of the department. His father is also a retired lieutenant of the Tulare County Sheriff's Office.
"For us today, it's just devastating and tragic," Boudreaux said. "What made him stand out was that it didn't matter which assignment he was in. It didn't matter if he was at the main jail or working in patrol or in investigation, he put his heart and soul into everything he did."
Dozens of Tulare County Sheriff's cruisers and police cars followed the body of Yandell from Kings County into Visalia Sunday in a procession to a funeral home.
"Just a good-hearted guy," Boudreaux said. "You couldn't ask for a nicer guy who truly was not only loyal to the office of the sheriff's department but that he loved and was loyal to the community he served."
Yandell was married and a father of two.
