The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has filed murder charges against Daniel Lemus, 27, of Reedley, for killing a teenager while driving drunk in the early morning hours of Nov. 7.

It is alleged that just before 1 a.m., Lemus was driving eastbound on Manning Avenue approaching South Mendocino Avenue near Parlier when he rear-ended a vehicle stopped at a red light, authorities said

Lemus then drove away southbound on Mendocino and rear-ended a Mustang at Mendocino and East Rose Avenue. The Mustang’s driver, 17-year-old Christian Crabb, of Kingsburg, died three days later, the Fresno County Coroner’s Office said.

A California Highway Patrol investigation found that Lemus was under the influence of alcohol at the time of both collisions.

Just one month before, authorities said, Lemus ran a stop sign in Selma while driving drunk and had his license taken away.

Lemus Has 2021 Vehicular Manslaughter Conviction

In addition, the Fresno County DA’s Office said that in 2019 Lemus ran a stop sign at East South Avenue and South Alta Avenue, broadsiding another vehicle and killing an 8-year-old boy in the other car. Following the boy’s death, Lemus was convicted of vehicular manslaughter in 2021.

If convicted of murder and other charges in the most recent DUI case, Lemus faces a maximum sentence of fifteen years to life in prison.

CHP officers arrested Lemus on Tuesday, Nov. 25. He remains in Fresno County Jail, and his arraignment is scheduled for Monday.