DINUBA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The Dinuba Unified School District has responded after the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office’s announcement regarding a former elementary school principal being arrested and charged for a fatal DUI crash.
On Wednesday, the DA’s office announced that 43-year-old Blake Benham was arrested and charged for a DUI crash that took the lives of a mother and daughter in 2023 near Reedley.
DA: Former elementary school principal, arrested, charged for 2023 DUI crash near Reedley
According to officials, Benham was the principal at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Dinuba at the time of the crash.
Dinuba Unified School District has been notified by the California Highway Patrol of the arrest of District employee, Blake Benham. The District further understands that Benham has been formally charged by the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office on multiple felony counts.
Following Wednesday’s announcement, the Dinuba Unified School District released a statement acknowledging the arrest and charges filed for Benham who has been employed with the District since Aug. 9, 2005. They say that although he currently holds the position of a classroom teacher, he is currently on an administrative leave of absence.
The District says they take this situation very seriously, understanding the gravity of this matter’s impact on the District’s community. The District will continue to work with law enforcement as they investigate this matter. While the District understands the community’s need and desire for more information, the law prohibits the District from sharing details of an ongoing personnel investigation.
The District says they remain committed to the safety and well-being of all of their students and staff and encourages anyone who has any information regarding the matter to immediately report the California Highway Patrol and/or the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office.
If you have such information, please call the District’s Assistant Superintendent, Marti Kochevar, at 559-595-7203.
The DA’s Office says if convicted, Benham faces life in prison.
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