Man killed and passenger injured in possible DUI crash in Fresno County identified

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — The devastated wreck follows a fatal accident that left a family in mourning just the day before Thanksgiving.

“It’s tragic. It’s a loss of life, a loss of a community member. A family in mourning,” says Mike Salas of the California Highway Patrol.

CHP says two young men, identified as 18-year-old Isael Acevedo and 18-year-old Jorge Medina, were driving a Honda Accord west on Vino Avenue near Jim Savage Road around 7 a.m. Wednesday.

They are believed to be traveling at a high rate of speed when Acevedo went off the road north of Reedley.

“The vehicle went off the road and hit an irrigation pipe, which sent it into the field you see behind me. The vehicle traveled approximately 200 feet before overturning multiple times,” Salas said.

Officer Salas says the young men were not wearing seat belts and were thrown from the sedan.

Acevedo died at the scene, Medina suffered only minor injuries.

Perfecto Gutierrez is one of two farm workers who saw the accident.

He says they were both in shock but ran towards the car to try to help.

“We feel heartbroken too; it’s a waste of life,” Gutierrez says

He also says Medina asked to borrow his cell phone to call her mother, whom I spoke to at the scene.

She didn’t want to appear on camera, but says the young men were best friends and the accident happened just a mile from Acevedo’s home.

Salas claims that while Medina was in the back of the ambulance at the scene, he became aggressive in the ambulance, prompting officers to rush to the scene.

“While doing this, both officers were bitten on the arms and the individual was restrained,” Salas says.

Medina was taken to the hospital and is expected to face charges for the alleged assault.

Investigators also tell us that alcohol was likely a factor in the accident.

Now they are calling once again not to drive under the influence of alcohol.

“Don’t get behind the wheel with a disability, find another form of transportation like ridesharing, a taxi, a friend, stay where you are,” Salas says.

It is believed that Medina may have been suffering from a mental crisis which contributed to his erratic behavior.

He is currently facing charges of assault on a peace officer and his bond is set at $30,000.

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