Murder, animal cruelty among charges for repeat DUI driver after Fresno crash
A Fresno man who allegedly ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle outside Fresno Yosemite Airport is now facing a murder charge.
Joseph Douglas Gray, 32, is accused of causing a deadly DUI crash just after midnight on April 10 at Chestnut and Dakota avenues after officers said he drove a Dodge Charger through a red light at a high-rate of speed and struck a Chevy Cruze so violently that the vehicle wrapped around a pole and pinned a woman in the car and ejected the driver.
The driver of the Cruze eventually died from his injuries and the woman suffered major injuries.
Gray had a blood-alcohol concentration higher than 0.13, according to the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. It is illegal in California to drive if one’s blood alcohol concentrate is 0.08% or higher for those who are over 21 years old.
Authorities said Gray been convicted recently of DUI in Los Angeles County, on Dec. 5. He also has two prior felony convictions, the DA’s office said.
In addition, he has been arrested twice on suspicion of DUI in Fresno County, on Sept. 13, 2024 and on Dec. 5 – the same day he was placed on probation in L.A. County for the DUI conviction. He failed to appear in his prior Fresno County court appearances, the DA’s office said.
Gray faces a sentence of eight years and eight months in state prison, followed by an additional term of 15 years to life.
He also was charged with animal cruelty after three puppies were found in his vehicle at the time of the crash. One of the puppies suffered serious injuries.
This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 7:59 AM.
