A California woman could face up to 16 years in prison, following a body-cam video shown in court and a 2022 car crash that injured a toddler and her parents. Local media reports the sequence of events that triggered the charges.
Bodycam footage shows bribe attempt, ‘race’ comment
According to Yahoo News, during the June 2022 DUI stop in Bakersfield, 29-year-old Madison Williams attempted to bribe officers with US$15,000. She is recorded as claiming close ties with judges, threatening legal action. When asked how she intended to end the arrest, she allegedly said:
“Number one, I’m white, so let’s stop.” The officer reportedly replied that race was irrelevant to the situation.
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The report further stated that Williams also refused further sobriety tests, calling them “exhausting” and tried to hand the officer a $600 bracelet, at one point claiming she owned “like half of Bakersfield” and referring to herself as “the most spoiled brat ever.”
Second crash happened months later
As per a similar report of KBAK, three months after the DUI stop, on 14 September 2022, Williams allegedly ran a stop sign in her Mercedes-Benz and crashed into a home in southwest Bakersfield. The vehicle impact sparked a fire that destroyed the house and severely injured a 21-month-old child and two adults inside.
According to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office, the toddler suffered a skull fracture, vertebra fracture, a broken arm, and multiple broken ribs, while the parents sustained serious bone injuries.
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Felony conviction, sentencing deferred
Williams was found guilty by a jury in October 2025 on multiple charges including:
DUI causing injury
Driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08% or higher causing injury
Causing a fire of an inhabited structure
The prosecution has urged for the maximum possible sentence of 16 years, citing the June 2022 transcript, they argue Williams showed no remorse or learning from earlier events.
Judge Kenneth C. Twisselman II has postponed sentencing to 12 December 2025, requesting a probation evaluation report to assess whether Williams may be eligible for probation or must serve full term.
The case has drawn public attention due to the explicit racial remark - “Thank God I’m white” that got captured on bodycam, which prosecutors say displays a sense of privilege and attempt to evade responsibility.
