Fresno County Sheriff Identifies Parolee Who Was Involved In Violent Collision With Lexus SUV While Fleeing From Deputies

October 27, 2024 – Officials with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office report that on Friday at 8:32 p.m., a deputy attempted to car stop near Shields and Hughes. The driver refused to stop and drove away. He made several turns at moderate speeds around neighborhoods in the Fruit and Gettysburg area.

At one point he dropped the two passengers and continued to Shaw, then drove north on Palm at a higher speed. At 8:46 p.m., he ran a red light and a Lexus SUV traveling eastbound on the Sierra struck the side of his car. The suspect lost control of the vehicle, hit a fire hydrant, cut a utility pole and cut down a tree before his vehicle came to rest in Palma. The officers managed to get the suspect out of the car and placed him in custody.

He was taken to hospital for treatment and then jailed. He was identified as 49-year-old Jimmy Cervelli of Fresno. He has an extensive arrest record and recently spent time in prison for burglary and common theft convictions. He is currently on parole.

A man and a woman driving a Lexus escaped the accident with minor pain.

Source and photos: Fresno County Sheriff’s Office