On Sunday, June 4th, 2023, at 8:29 pm, a Turlock Police officer near the intersection of W Canal Dr and N Broadway, Turlock, observed a man driving a vehicle violate the California Vehicle Code, so he made a traffic stop on him.

The officer made contact with and identified the vehicle’s driver as Michael Fudge, 28, of Stevinson.

While speaking with Fudge, the officer noticed that he was displaying objective symptoms of being under the influence and Fudge admitted to drinking, so he removed him from his vehicle and asked him if he’d be willing to participate in standardized field sobriety tests. Fudge agreed and completed the tests.

Based on the totality of the circumstances, the officer determined that Fudge was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested.

Fudge provided two breath samples at the scene as required by California’s implied consent law. The breath samples revealed that Fudge had a blood alcohol content of .08% or greater.

It should also be noted that Fudge had a child in the vehicle with him.

Fudge was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of child abuse or endangerment under circumstances likely to produce great bodily harm or death, driving under the influence of alcohol, and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or greater. He was also issued an administrative driver’s license suspension order by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and his vehicle was impounded.

The child was released to a family member.