Driver in high-speed crash was a Bulldog gang member with full-auto weapon in car, police say

The driver who caused a fatal collision in central Fresno on Thursday afternoon while fleeing police was a Bulldog gang member who had a fully automatic weapon in his car, police reported Friday.

Sgt. Jeff La Blue identified the driver as Shane Stone, 42. He has an extensive criminal history with the department, and was on federal probation at the time of the crash. Previous contacts with police in Fresno included felony evading, as well as weapons charges.

The driver of the car Stone crashed into at Palm and Clinton avenues was identified late Friday afternoon as Olin Huckabee of Fresno. He was going to celebrate his 56th birthday with his family next week, Police Chief Andy Hall said in a video statement Friday afternoon.

The crash took place shortly before 4:30 p.m. Thursday near North Palm and East Clinton avenues. Officers tried to stop Stone for driving with an expired license plate near Roeding Park when Stone sped away, La Blue said. Police said they broke off pursuit, but continued tracking Stone as he sped north on Palm.

Witnesses told police the car was traveling at around 100 mph.

Police Lt. Bill Dooley said at the scene that witnesses told officers that Stone ran a red light and struck a white Toyota Corolla that was attempting to make a left turn from westbound Clinton onto southbound Palm.

“The impact was extremely traumatic,” Dooley said.

The collision sent both cars a block north onto Terrace Avenue. The driver’s side of the Corolla was crushed in, and the front end of Stone’s car was totaled.

There were no passengers in either car.

This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 8:36 AM.