Former Dinuba School Principal Faces Life in Prison for DUI Deaths of Mom, Daughter

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 9 months ago on

August 14, 2024

A former school principal from Dinuba faces murder charges after a December 2023 DUI collision that killed a mother and daughter and injured others, the Tulare County DA's office announced Wednesday. (Video Screenshot)

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A Dinuba man is facing murder charges in connection with a December 2023 DUI collision that killed a mother and daughter, leaving others injured, the Tulare County DA’s office announced Wednesday.

Blake Benham, 43, a former school principal, is charged with two counts of murder and two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

In addition to these charges, Benham faces two counts of driving under the influence causing injury with a blood alcohol concentration over 0.15 percent, and causing great bodily injury to two other victims.

Benham is accused of killing Gloria Barajas, 55, and her daughter, Brenda Quinonez, 35, in a crash last December on Road 56 near Avenue 430 near Reedley.

Benham was arrested Wednesday by the California Highway Patrol and is expected to be arraigned this week. He was previously arrested but made bail and got out of jail.

If convicted on all charges, Benham could face life in prison. The case is being investigated by the CHP Visalia Area Central Division.

Benham is on administrative leave from his position as principal of Kennedy Elementary School.

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Anthony W. Haddad,

Multimedia Journalist

Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.