Alleged Drunk Driver Charged With Murder in Death of Clovis Bicyclist

Portrait of GV Wire News Director Bill McEwen

By Bill McEwen, News Director

Published 2 years ago on

June 2, 2023

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Jonathan Paul Petty is facing murder and three other felony charges in the death of a 33-year-old Clovis bicyclist on Wednesday evening.

Jonathan Paul Petty booking photo — Jonathan Paul Petty faces a murder charge in the death of a Clovis bicyclist. (Fresno County SO)

Petty, 36, allegedly crashed into Peter Binz on Herndon Avenue and fled the scene in a Ram 1500 pickup. Binz was pronounced dead at the scene east of Locan Avenue.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Petty was driving drunk when the fatal accident occurred. Officers arrested him at his residence after receiving a phone tip.

“Due to Mr. Petty’s level of intoxication, he allowed the Ram to veer to the right as he approached the bicyclist. The front of Ram struck the bicyclist, ejecting him onto the roadway,” the CHP said in a news release.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release on Friday that Petty, also a Clovis resident, has a previous conviction for drunken driving. That conviction stemmed from a vehicle collision involving Petty on Dec. 15, 2022.

If convicted on the murder charge, Petty faces a term of 15 years to life in state prison.

As of Friday, he remained in county jail with bail totaling $82,000. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday.

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Bill McEwen,

News Director

Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email