PARLIER, Calif. — A tragic crash in central California left a 15-year-old boy dead after police say a driver struck him while he was walking through a crosswalk with his girlfriend, sending shock through the small Fresno-area community.
Authorities say Tiffany Mercado, 35, has been arrested and is facing multiple charges including vehicular manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon, and reckless driving causing injury.
Police say she is also facing DUI-related charges following the fatal crash.
Teen Was Walking to Store With Girlfriend
The crash happened around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday near Mendocino and Parlier Avenues in the city of Parlier.
Investigators say Juliani “Gio” Moreno, 15, was walking hand-in-hand with his girlfriend, Mercedes Solano, while crossing the street in a marked crosswalk.
The couple had been heading to a nearby store when the vehicle suddenly struck them.
“I was holding his hand. We were walking shoulder to shoulder here, and it all went by so quick,” Solano said in an interview at the scene.
She described the moment as happening in an instant.
“It was like an explosion,” she said.
Teen Pronounced Dead at Scene
According to police, the vehicle struck Moreno with such force that he was thrown away from the roadway.
When officers arrived at the scene, Moreno had already died from his injuries, authorities said.
Solano suffered a leg injury from flying debris, but investigators said she was otherwise expected to recover.
“And then I was looking around, and that’s when I saw him on the floor over there,” Solano said, pointing to a nearby field where he landed.
Car Crashed Into Nearby Flower Shop
After striking the teenagers, investigators say the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a nearby flower shop.
Police later arrested Mercado at the scene.
Authorities say she was taken into custody and transported to the Fresno County Jail, where she remains held without bond.
Her next court appearance has been scheduled for March 25, according to court records.
Teen Remembered as Athlete and Student
Moreno was a freshman and football player at Immanuel High School, according to information shared in an online fundraiser created to support his family.
Friends and family say the teenager had been looking forward to several upcoming activities, including participating in the school’s summer football drills.
“All his fun things he wanted to do in summer,” Solano said. “He was going to come with me to Montana for the summertime.”
She also revealed that just moments before crossing the street, the two had switched sides — meaning she could have been the one struck by the car.
Flower Shop Owner Says Timing Saved Lives
The crash also narrowly avoided causing additional casualties.
The owner of the flower shop struck by the vehicle said the business is usually open during that time of day.
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However, staff had closed earlier than usual that evening.
“We’re basically lucky to be alive,” said shop owner Hermina Lopez.
She said the store typically closes at 6 p.m., but they happened to shut down slightly earlier on the day of the crash.
“A few minutes made the difference,” she said.
Community Mourning Teen’s Death
Local leaders and residents say the loss has deeply affected the community. Parlier Mayor Alma Beltran expressed condolences to the family in a public statement.
“This is a loss that no family should ever have to endure,” Beltran wrote.
She said city officials are working closely with investigators to understand the full circumstances of the crash.
Officials say they are committed to ensuring accountability and justice as the case moves forward.
The investigation into the fatal collision remains ongoing.
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