In Caruthers, California, the community is in shock over surprising news related to their high school basketball games.
Anna Almeida, the beloved head coach of the Caruthers High School girls’ basketball team, was arrested for a hit-and-run crash involving driving under the influence (DUI).
The 44-year-old, a three-time state championship winner, was volunteering at the local fair when the incident happened, leaving residents stunned and divided.
It was around 5 p.m. on September 26, 2025, during the lively Caruthers Fair in Fresno County. Anna Almeida had been volunteering at the event, a staple of community spirit. But as she left to head home, things took a troubling turn.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Almeida’s vehicle hit a parked car near Superior and Oak avenues with someone inside it.
The person suffered minor injuries, and thankfully, Almeida was unharmed. Instead of stopping to help, she drove home, where CHP officers later pulled her over.
After a field sobriety test, officers determined Almeida was driving under the influence, suspecting she may have been drinking alcohol while at the fair.
She was arrested on charges of hit-and-run and DUI, but was released on bail a few hours later.
The news hit hard in Caruthers, a town of about 2,500 people where Almeida’s influence as a coach and educator runs deep.
local supporter Jimmy Monreal, in a statement to ABC30 Fresno, said:
“I know that the individual involved in the accident was extremely committed to the students and the community of Caruthers,”
For many, though, the incident feels like a betrayal, especially since it happened around families and kids at the fair.
Anna Is A Legendary Coach with Deep Roots
For 21 years, Anna Ferrua Almeida led the Caruthers Blue Raiders girls’ basketball team to incredible heights, turning a small-town program into a powerhouse.
Her love for coaching started young. As a senior in high school, her own coach asked her to work with seventh- and eighth-graders, and she fell in love with it. That passion carried her to the varsity sidelines in 2005, where she’s built a legacy.
Under Almeida’s leadership, the Blue Raiders won their first CIF Central Section title in 2015, followed by state championships in Division V in 2019, Division III in 2024, and an impressive Division II title in March 2025.
Each win came in a tougher division, showing her ability to grow the program.
“Never in our lives did we believe it would be at the Division II level, but they did a really good job and now here we are,”
Almeida said after the latest championship, praising her players’ hard work.
In 2024, she was named Cal-Hi Sports State Coach of the Year, a rare honor for a Central Section coach, and also earned Coach of the Year from The Fresno Bee.
Almeida’s impact goes beyond high school games. She built the Caruthers AAU girls’ basketball program from just two teams to over 100 athletes, coaching kids from kindergarten to varsity.
Former players like Nicole Pedersen now send their own daughters through the program, calling it a family tradition.
Outside of basketball, Almeida has been an educator since 2015, holding credentials to teach students with autism spectrum disorder.
Her patience and care shine in the classroom, where she encourages her players to be role models in life, not just on the court.
When News of the Arrest Broke, Social Media Lit Up with Reactions
On Facebook groups tied to the fair and school, some offered support, while others expressed anger and concern.
The community is faced with how to perceive a woman who has done so much for Caruthers but made a grave mistake.
Steve Carrillo wrote,
“We’ve all made mistakes, and I hope we all learn from it.” Paul Garda added, “I hope not only she learns from this but her team does too. Maybe it will prevent any of them from making such a stupid mistake.”
Another user took a compassionate stance:
“Everyone is quick to judge. Was it a wise choice? Of course not. But I bet most adults here have had a few drinks and made the same choice and got lucky. I know I’m guilty of it. This one act doesn’t define someone’s character. This family does a lot for our community that most would never do.”
But not everyone is ready to forgive. One person who was at the fair shared,
“Sadly, she was drinking. Those who were there witnessed it. And talking with people in the circle, this isn’t the first time. Lots of drinking. They can turn a blind eye if they want, but this is a huge problem. This was around students and parents, to the point of getting in an accident. Luckily nobody was killed. Lots of pedestrians during the fair. Fair board and school district both need to take action.”
Another user was blunt:
“Daaaaamn. What a dumbass. I was never a fan of hers or her little clique of jock bitches. Hopefully the other people involved are okay.”
The Caruthers Unified School District hasn’t made a public statement, but there are reports of internal reviews.
The fair board is also facing calls to respond. For a community that’s rallied around Almeida’s championships, this is a tough moment.
Anna Almeida’s hit-and-run arrest doesn’t erase her years of dedication, the championships, or the lives she’s changed.
But it’s a stark reminder that even the best among us can falter. Driving under the influence, especially in a busy place like the fair, puts lives at risk.
As the investigation continues, the focus is on what comes next.
Caruthers is a place that believes in second chances, but it also expects better.
Our thoughts are with the person injured in the crash, the Blue Raiders team, and the town as they go through this difficult moment.
