Couple killed in head-on crash near I-5 in Fresno County. Driver arrested for DUI

A 30-year-old Riverside man was arrested and faces felony charges following a head-on-collision that killed two people on Highway 145 west of Fresno on Monday night.

California Highway Patrol said the suspect was driving a Tesla under the influence of alcohol when he attempted to pass on the two-lane highway south of Ford Avenue near Interstate 5.

This put him in the path of an oncoming car and resulted “in a head-on collision where the front of the Tesla collided with the front of the Hyundai,” according to the CHP.

In the Hyundai were a husband and wife: 69-year-old Carlos Pimentel, who was driving, and 62-year-old Maria Pimentel. Both were from Coalinga. The Fresno County Coroner’s Office confirmed the deaths Tuesday.

According to CHP, Carlos Pimentel tried to take evasive action to avoid the crash, but moved into the other lane at the same moment that the Tesla driver veered back.

The driver of the Tesla, identified by CHP as Shawn Borecha, had minor injuries. He was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, among other charges, CHP said. The double-fatal crash remains under investigation.

This story was originally published December 31, 2025 at 9:12 AM.