Fresno County, CA – On the night of Saturday, July 26, 2025, a single-vehicle crash claimed the life of Kevin Juarez, 24, and resulted in the arrest of the driver on suspicion of DUI, according to KSEE, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the collision occurred just before 10:00 PM on East Mount Whitney Avenue, west of Cedar Avenue.
At the time of the incident, Juan Carlos Mendoza Jr., 24, was operating a silver or black Chevrolet Tahoe and was traveling westbound on Mount Whitney Avenue with three passengers on board.
According to officers at the scene, Mendoza Jr. lost control of the SUV, which veered off the north side of the roadway and crashed into a walnut orchard. The vehicle struck multiple trees before rolling over and coming to a rest on its side. Emergency services were notified promptly and responded to the location.
CHP officers stated that both Mendoza Jr. and the front seat passenger were wearing seatbelts and sustained only minor injuries. However, the two rear-seat passengers were not wearing seatbelts. One of them, later identified by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office as Kevin Juarez, 24, was found unresponsive inside the vehicle. Emergency personnel extracted Juarez from the wreckage and performed CPR at the scene and during transport to the hospital, but he was ultimately pronounced dead.
Mendoza Jr. was medically evaluated and cleared at Community Regional Medical Center before being booked into the Fresno County Jail. He faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing injury.
CHP dispatch logs reveal that initial reports described a possible DUI driver and that the crash was originally classified as a major injury collision before being reclassified as a fatal incident shortly after midnight. Officers coordinated with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the coroner’s division during the investigation.
Authorities have not released the names or conditions of the two surviving passengers. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
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 Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, feel free to contact a Fresno Wrongful Death Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
