64-Year-Old Cynthia Rae Winkler Arrested in Herndon Road Collision [Ceres, CA]

Ceres, CA (November 14, 2025) — A Ceres police sergeant suffered minor injuries Monday night after a collision on Herndon Road that led to the arrest of 64-year-old Cynthia Rae Winkler of Ceres.

According to authorities, Winkler slammed into his patrol SUV on Herndon Road at around 10:44 p.m. while police were responding to another call in the area.

Reports say that the sergeant was stopped in the northbound turn lane when he noticed a southbound vehicle drift directly toward him. He activated his emergency lights to alert the driver, but the vehicle continued forward and struck the patrol SUV head-on.

Officers identified the driver as Winkler. Police say she showed clear signs of intoxication, and field sobriety tests indicated she was driving under the influence. Further investigation revealed she was on active probation for a previous DUI offense, and her blood-alcohol level later tested at nearly three times the legal limit.

Authorities booked Winkler into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on felony DUI charges. She was not hurt in the collision. The injured sergeant received treatment at the scene and was released.

Ceres police noted this was the second DUI-related crash involving one of their patrol vehicles in less than a week.

Traffic collisions can happen anytime, but their impact lasts a lifetime. Stay alert, avoid distractions, and never drive under the influence. Always wear your seatbelt, obey speed limits, and be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists. Keep a safe distance between vehicles and adjust your speed for road conditions.

Never drive under the influence. Impaired driving endangers lives and leads to devastating consequences. Always choose a sober ride—your decision can save lives.

If you plan to drink, please arrange a sober ride. Driving impaired puts everyone at risk. Stay alert and report suspected DUI drivers to 911.

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