Hanford, CA – On the evening of Sunday, September 27, 2026, a collision in which DUI is suspected resulted in the death of Jose Lopez, 38, and led to the arrest of George Beucher, 61, according to KSEE/KGPE.
The Hanford Police Department reports that the accident took place around 10:30 PM at 12th Avenue and Grangeville Boulevard.
Authorities said Beucher, driving a Ford F-250, ran a red light and crashed into a Toyota Prius driven by Lopez. Officers found Lopez unresponsive with visible injuries inside the Prius. Beucher sustained only minor injuries. Lopez was transported to the hospital, where he later died.
Officers administered multiple field sobriety tests to Beucher, which he failed. He was booked into the Kings County Jail on suspicion of DUI and great bodily injury causing death.
Police continue to investigate and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
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.”
Hanford DUI Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
California law prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and requires drivers to stop at red traffic signals. When an impaired driver runs a red light and causes a fatal collision, that driver may be considered to have committed negligence per se, increasing his share of liability for the resulting death.
Lopez’s family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim, which can provide compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of consortium, and other damages related to the fatal accident.
Hanford Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, at 12th Avenue and Grangeville Boulevard, contact a California wrongful death lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
