17-year-old who died in SW Fresno crash is identified, as is the arrested driver

A DUI crash Friday night in southwest Fresno killed a 17-year-old high school student, police said.

And it turns out the driver responsible for the crash has a history with driving under the influence, records show.

The Fresno County Coroner’s Office confirmed Saturday that Sarahi Ramirez of Fresno was killed in the crash.

Ramirez was a senior at W.E.B. DuBois Public Charter School, the coroner’s office added.

The driver that the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says caused the fatal crash is 25-year-old Michael Mendoza, who four years ago was arrested on DUI and firearms charges.

Mendoza was in the process of being booked into Fresno County Jail, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The fatal collision happened in southwest Fresno.

Ramirez was driving westbound on Jensen Avenue when her vehicle was struck at the intersection of Marks Avenue by Mendoza, who failed to stop at the posted sign, according to CHP.

Ramirez was wearing a seat belt but was seriously injured. She was taken to Community Regional Medical Center where she later died.

CHP added that Mendoza was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from his SUV into a field at the intersection’s northwest corner. He was hospitalized as well but later arrested for felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter, according to CHP.

This story was originally published March 19, 2022 at 1:03 PM.