Preliminary investigations found that a Ford F-250 was heading east on Central Avenue when it attempted to turn left and was struck by a Toyota Camry that was traveling westbound
Fresno County, CA – Authorities have released the identity of the person killed in a car collision that led to the arrest of a motorist on suspicion of DUI in Fresno County on Wednesday afternoon.
According to a report by the California Highway Patrol, the wreck happened on Central and De Wolf avenues at around 3:30 p.m. on March 18.
Preliminary investigations found that a Ford F-250 was heading east on Central Avenue when it attempted to turn left and was struck by a Toyota Camry that was traveling westbound.
CHP officers and emergency crews responded to the scene immediately after receiving reports of the collision and they located the involved parties.
A passenger in the Camry sustained critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. He has since been identified as 72-year-old Jesse Hernandez, a resident of Fowler. According to the CHP, Hernandez was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.
The two men riding in the Dodge were not injured in the incident.
According to the CHP, the driver of the Camry attempted to flee the scene but was located and taken into custody. The driver, who is yet to be identified, was arrested on suspicion of felony evading and DUI.
No more details on the accident were immediately released. The accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Original Story
Fresno County, CA – One person was killed in a car collision that led to the arrest of one driver on suspicion of driving under the influence on Wednesday afternoon in Fresno County.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident took place on Central and De Wolf avenues at about 3:30 p.m. March 18.
Preliminary reports indicate that a Ford F-250 was traveling eastbound on Central Avenue when it tried to make a left turn and was hit by a Toyota Camry that was headed westbound.
CHP officers responded to the scene immediately after receiving reports of the collision and they located the parties involved in the crash.
A passenger in the Camry suffered critical injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim’s name, age, and gender were not immediately available.
There were no reports of injuries to other parties involved in the incident.
According to the CHP, the driver of the Camry was arrested on suspicion of felony evading and DUI.
No additional details on the accident were immediately available. The accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
According to the Fresno Area CHP, fatal collisions dropped by 9% in 2024, with 79 recorded incidents compared to 87 the previous year. Despite this progress, the county remains a critical area for serious injuries; data from the 2025 Vision Zero Action Plan reveals that between 2019 and 2023, an average of 40 people were killed and 125 severely injured annually. Over 91% of these severe crashes occur on high-speed arterials and collectors like Shaw and Herndon Avenues.
The county’s 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) initiative highlights that while urban areas see higher crash volumes, rural corridors like Highway 99 continue to experience disproportionately high fatality rates per mile. Primary crash factors in the region include distracted driving and DUI-related impairment, which historically account for over 35% of fatal incidents.
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Were you injured or did you lose a loved one in this traffic collision? You may have the right to seek compensation. A professional car accident lawyer can help you in your pursuit of justice. Visit our wrongful death lawyer page to learn more about the legal options available for you.