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Fresno MAGA Activist Jason Phillips Dies in Solo Car Crash
gvw_david_taub
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 2 months ago on
March 20, 2024

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)

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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.

Above: memorial pictures left for Chase McCutcheon on Copper Avenue; below: a cross bearing Chase’s name. (GV Wire/David Taub)

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.

A notice for a Jason Phillips memorial.

Family and friends have planned a memorial tribute at the crash site at Copper and Willow for Friday at 7 p.m.

An American flag flies next to a bent guardrail, where Jason Phillips crashed and died. (GV Wire/David Taub)

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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