Mariano Cruz Killed in Fresno Accident on Highway 99 near McKinley Avenue
Fresno, California (September 6, 2022) – Mariano Cruz, 20, of Mendota, was among two people killed in a crash involving a suspected DUI driver on Saturday morning in Fresno, according to the Fresno County Coroner's Office.
The wreck occurred at around 6:00 a.m. on September 3, on northbound Highway 99 near the McKinley Avenue off-ramp.
According to California Highway Patrol, a 21-year-old man was driving a 2015 Hyundai on the highway when he made an unsafe lane change and clipped a 2001 Mitsubishi driven by Cruz.
The Mitsubishi drifted off the side of the roadway, went down an embankment, and collided with a tree. The tree was uprooted by the impact of the crash.
Cruz and a passenger in the Mitsuishi, Emily Ochoa Ascencio, 18, of Mendota, were both killed in the incident.
The driver of the Hyundai, Eugene Roebuk, 21, of Fresno, was taken to Fresno Community Regional Medical Center for treatment.
He was later arrested on suspicion of DUI. Authorities are conducting an investigation into the incident.
Original Story
Fresno, California (September 3, 2022) – Authorities are investigating a Saturday morning suspected DUI accident that killed two people in Fresno.
The deadly accident occurred at about 6:00 a.m. on northbound Highway 99 near the McKinley Avenue off-ramp.
According to the California Highway Patrol, at least two vehicles collided on the highway in unclear circumstances.
As a result of the crash impact, one of the vehicles went down an embankment and struck a tree.
Sadly, two people sustained fatal injuries in the accident.
The driver of one of the vehicles was taken to Community Regional Medical Center and was arrested by officers on suspicion of DUI.
Traffic on the roadway was stopped for an unknown period due to the mishap.
Have you lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident?
As the summer travel season comes to an end, drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and even pedestrians are reminded to use the road responsibly.
Drivers are specifically reminded NEVER to drive while impaired. P. Mark Shayani of Pacific Attorney Group says “There can never be any good reason for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs”.
Shayani explains that impaired driving is not only about driving under the influence of alcohol. “Some over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications may cause impaired driving.” As a driver or rider, it is always good to read warning labels and follow directions of use about operating heavy machinery which includes driving a car or riding a motorcycle.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, 1,159 lives were lost throughout California in drunk driving-related traffic collisions.
If you have lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident, contact us today for guidance. Click to call : 866-803-6502