DA: Reedley man sentenced in DUI crash killing 1, injuring others

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A Reedley man now faces 13 years in state prison for gross vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence, causing great bodily injury, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office said.

According to the DA, on Oct. 19, 2024, at 11 p.m., 25-year-old Jesus Rosendo Zeferino and his three passengers were traveling east on Manning Avenue near Hill Avenue outside of Orange Cove at about 80 to 90 miles per hour.

At the same time, court records state 27-year-old Eli Abraham Lopez of Kingsburg was stopped at the intersection’s stop sign on the same road. Zeferino subsequently slammed into the rear of Lopez’s sedan, sending it through the intersection and catching fire.

Attorneys report Lopez was unable to escape and died at the scene; however, his passenger was eventually able to escape but sustained severe burns.

The DA says Zeferino’s vehicle veered into oncoming traffic and crashed into a second vehicle that was stopped, heading westbound. All three of Zeferino’s passengers sustained serious injuries, with one requiring an airlift to a local hospital.

CHP’s investigation determined Zeferino had a blood alcohol concentration of .16%, double the legal limit.

The DA states Zeferino pled guilty on May 13, 2025, and was sentenced on July 9, 2025, to 13 years in state prison for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving with a blood alcohol concentration over .08% causing great bodily injury.