Fresno County, CA. – In the early hours of Sunday, December 15, 2025, a suspected DUI collision resulted in the death of a 20-year-old man and sent multiple rideshare passengers to the hospital, according to KSEE.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 1:30 AM at the intersection of Cherry and American avenues.
Authorities said a Nissan carrying a 38-year-old rideshare driver and three adult passengers was traveling east on American Avenue. As the vehicle passed through the intersection with Cherry Avenue, it was struck by a Chevrolet sedan driven by a 20-year-old man, who allegedly sped north through the intersection without stopping.
The force of the collision caused the Nissan to spin and come to rest, blocking both northbound lanes of South Cherry Avenue. The Chevrolet continued north, crashing through a chain-link fence before finally stopping several hundred feet away.
Officials reported that the Chevrolet driver was not wearing a seatbelt and was found unresponsive at the scene. Fire personnel extracted him from the vehicle, but despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The rideshare driver and three passengers of the Nissan were transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries. Authorities said all occupants were evaluated for injuries, but none were reported as life-threatening.
The CHP indicated that alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor in the collision, but the incident remains under active investigation.
California DUI Law
Section 23153(a) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that it is illegal for any driver to “Operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, cause bodily injury to someone else.”
Wrongful Death Claims
Even if a fatal accident doesn’t lead to criminal charges, families who lose a loved one can still file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide support to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income.
Fresno Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Fresno Car Accident Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
