Fresno conservative activist Jason Phillips, seen here Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol Riot in Washington, D.C. He died in a car crash on March 18. (GV Wire File)
- Jason Phillips was one of two men killed in a Monday morning traffic collision.
- Phillips was known as a local conservative activist.
- CHP suspects a DUI. The two men were not wearing seatbelts.
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Broken glass and bits of car parts remain on Copper Avenue near north Fresno.
Memorials, with candles and beer cans, honor the lives of two men killed in a one-car traffic collision early Monday morning.
Law enforcement said 24-year-old Jason Phillips and 32-year-old Chase McCutcheon died after a Tesla Model 3 Phillips drove crashed into a raised curb and overturned. The car struck another median curb. Phillips and McCutcheon were not wearing seatbelts, the CHP said, and were ejected from the vehicle.
A third person in the car, sitting in the back buckled in, survived the crash and was in moderate condition as of earlier this week.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol appears to be a factor in this crash following St. Patrick’s Day celebrations,” the CHP said in a case narrative.
The solo-car collision took place around 1:45 a.m. Monday as the car traveled westbound on Copper east of Willow Avenue.
Phillips was known in local political circles as an activist, filming videos to support his conservative viewpoint and love of former President Donald Trump — and to attack liberals.
A LinkedIn page for McCutcheon said he worked as a sales consultant for Sysco.
Mourners left a cross and pictures of McCutcheon at the crash site.
Phillips Half of ‘Oreo Express’
Fellow conservative Josh Fulfer and Phillips created videos under the “Oreo Express” banner. Phillips was Black; Fulfer is White.
The videos confronted liberal activists, opposed woke ideas, and were often broadcast from rallies and political events.
While protesting the city’s COVID-19 lockdown, Phillips and other activists confronted Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias at his residence in downtown Fresno. The councilmember was initially cited for misdemeanor battery, but no charges were filed.
Phillips attended the Jan. 6, 2021 rally in Washington, D.C. that eventually turned into a riot at the U.S. Capitol. He was never in legal trouble. However, he did video a confrontation with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, at the airport.
Friends say Phillips was not as politically active lately as he concentrated on a potential legal career.
Family and friends have planned a memorial tribute at the crash site at Copper and Willow for Friday at 7 p.m.
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