DUI driver Charged after Crash on Mt. Whitney kills passenger
FRESNO, CA, (July 30, 2025) - Kevin Juarez, 24, was tragically killed Saturday night in a suspected drunk driving crash in Fresno County, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Kevin Juarez was killed Saturday night when the vehicle he was riding in overturned on Mt. Whitney Avenue in Fresno County, authorities said.
The accident occurred around 10 p.m. on Mt. Whitney Avenue, just west of Cedar Avenue. Authorities said a Chevrolet Tahoe carrying four individuals veered off the roadway, overturned, and struck several trees in a walnut orchard. Juarez, a Fresno resident and passenger in the vehicle, was transported to Community Regional Medical Center, where he later died.
The driver and a front-seat passenger sustained minor injuries. The driver, also 24, was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing injury.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Even if a driver believes they are capable of operating a vehicle, alcohol or drugs can impair coordination and judgment, significantly increasing the risk of a serious or fatal crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 10,850 people lost their lives each year in drunk driving crashes between 2012 and 2021.
An independent investigation is necessary to determine all contributing factors in this case, including toxicology results that reveal the driver's blood alcohol content.
“Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs can face serious criminal charges if their actions lead to injury or death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “In addition to criminal proceedings, the victim’s family may pursue a civil claim for compensation against the responsible driver.”
Bond added, “During such devastating times, a skilled attorney can offer guidance and support while protecting the family’s rights and ensuring that impaired drivers are held fully accountable for their reckless behavior.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of the investigation, the family of Kevin Juarez may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for medical and funeral expenses, loss of love and companionship, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
“Wrongful death occurs when a person’s life is taken due to the negligent or reckless actions of another individual or entity,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“When a fatal crash is caused by impaired, distracted, or reckless driving, the victim’s family has the right to pursue civil action against the at-fault party to hold them accountable,” Bond added.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).