Passenger killed in car crash is ID’d as Fresno woman, 35. CHP makes an arrest

A woman who died Friday evening in a crash just south of Fresno was identified Saturday by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office.

Ofelia Santana, 35, of Fresno was killed after she was ejected as the car overturned. Another woman — the driver — suffered moderate injuries in the 5:45 p.m. crash near Del Ray and Jensen avenues.

In an update Saturday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol arrested 45-year-old Michelle Antoinette Vega of Fresno for DUI, manslaughter while intoxicated, being a driver causing death while intoxicated. Her bail is $102,000.

CHP Sgt. Joseph Bianchi said the car flipped when the driver made an unsafe turn. Santana, a passenger, was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the car. The driver, who was belted in, was pulled from the wreck by firefighters.

Both women were taken to a local hospital, where Santana died, Bianchi said. The CHP is investigating whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

This story was originally published June 17, 2023 at 2:56 PM.