A 23-year-old Fresno man died in a solo vehicle crash after fleeing from police following a bar disturbance involving a firearm. The investigation is being handled by the CHP. (File)
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Jorge Gutierrez-Vasquez, 23, of Fresno, died early Friday morning after fleeing the scene of a reported disturbance involving a firearm and crashing his vehicle into a tree, authorities said in a news release.
The Fresno area California Highway Patrol said it received a call about a single-vehicle collision near Sierra Avenue, west of Forkner Avenue, at approximately 1:05 a.m. on Friday.
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The incident began shortly after 1 a.m. when Fresno police received a report of a man brandishing a firearm at the “Other Bar” located near Blackstone and Sequoia avenues. When officers arrived, Gutierrez-Vasquez fled in the Honda, officials said.
Patrol officers didn’t pursue the vehicle but deployed the department’s Air 1 helicopter to track it from above.
Authorities said the Honda was observed traveling at high speeds westbound on Sierra Avenue before making an unsafe turn onto the north shoulder, striking several trash cans and a street sign.
The vehicle ultimately veered off course and crashed into a tree.
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Officers from CHP and medical emergency personnel responded to the scene, where they found Gutierrez-Vasquez unresponsive in the driver’s seat.
Gutierrez-Vasquez was pronounced dead there.
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During the investigation, officers discovered a handgun and ammunition inside the vehicle. It remains unclear whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash, pending toxicology results.
