Fresno County, CA – According to ABC30 with additional reporting from The Fresno Bee, 27-year-old Kingsburg man, Eli Abram Lopez, was identified as the man killed in a suspected DUI crash in Fresno County near Orange Cove on Saturday night, October 19, 2024.
The incident occurred around 11:05 PM at the intersection of Manning and Hill Avenues.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that 24-year-old Jesus Zeferino of Reedley was driving a Honda Civic eastbound on Manning Avenue and rear-ended Lopez’s Honda Accord, which had been stopped at a posted stop sign.
The collision caused Lopez’s vehicle to burst into flames, and despite efforts to rescue him, Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene. Lopez’s girlfriend, who was a passenger in the car, managed to escape and was taken to the hospital with moderate to severe injuries.
The crash also involved a third vehicle, which the Civic struck after the initial impact. The driver of the third vehicle sustained minor head injuries, while a passenger was uninjured.
Zeferino was arrested at the scene on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence. He faces multiple charges, including DUI resulting in death and gross vehicular manslaughter.
Lopez had recently reunited with his family after three years apart and was working with his brother at a Taco Truck in Kingsburg. He was also starting a new business, with plans to open a car wash.
His family has set up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses and to return his body to Guatemala for burial.
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 compensation can help cover medical bills, funeral costs, and lost income that the family depended on.
However, insurance companies will always try to pay as little as possible, making it difficult for families to receive the full amount they deserve. So, having an experienced personal injury attorney is essential to receive fair compensation and justice for your loved one.
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.”
