Fresno County Man Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal DUI Crash

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 8 months ago on

October 23, 2024

Jesus Zeferino, 24, of Reedley, has been charged with multiple felonies in a DUI crash in Orange Cove that killed Eli Lopez, 27, of Kingsburg on Friday, Oct. 19, 2024. (Fresno County Sherriff's Office)

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office charged Jesus Zeferino, 24, of Reedley, with multiple felony counts on Tuesday following a DUI crash in Orange Cove that claimed the life of Eli Lopez, 27, of Kingsburg, on Friday night.

Zeferino faces charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher causing great bodily injury, and DUI causing injury — all felony offenses — according to the complaint.

He also faces a misdemeanor charge for driving without a license.

According to the DA’s complaint, Zeferino’s blood alcohol level was above 0.15% or higher, nearly twice the legal limit.

Zeferino was arraigned Wednesday morning and entered a not-guilty plea to all charges, according to the Fresno County DA.

He is being held without bail at the Fresno County Jail.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

DON'T MISS

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

DON'T MISS

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

DON'T MISS

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

DON'T MISS

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

DON'T MISS

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

DON'T MISS

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

UP NEXT

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

UP NEXT

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

UP NEXT

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

UP NEXT

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

UP NEXT

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

UP NEXT

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

UP NEXT

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

UP NEXT

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

UP NEXT

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

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.