Impaired Driver Sentenced for Two Collisions that Claimed Two Lives

Published on September 25, 2025

Today, September 25, 2025, William Reyes Lozano (22, of Fresno) was sentenced to 10 years in state prison for causing two fatal crashes while driving under the influence of marijuana. Lozano pleaded guilty on August 15, 2025, to two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while impaired and two counts of driving under the influence causing injury. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Jonathan Conklin of the Fresno County Superior Court. Lozano faced a maximum possible sentence of 13 years in state prison.

On June 24, 2023, at approximately 2:15 a.m., Lozano was driving a Chevrolet Impala eastbound on Cornell Avenue near Chance Avenue. While traveling at a high rate of speed, he veered out of his lane, side-swiped a parked vehicle, and struck two occupied vehicles, injuring both occupants.

Bystanders held Lozano until California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers arrived. CHP officers determined Lozano was under the influence of marijuana, and toxicology testing later confirmed high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, in his bloodstream. Lozano was arrested and cited to appear in court.

Ten days later, on July 4, 2023, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Lozano was driving a Dodge Avenger eastbound on Clinton Avenue. While stopped at a red light at Clinton and Maple, a witness observed him revving his engine next to another vehicle, appearing to challenge the driver to a race. When the light turned green, Lozano accelerated rapidly.

After passing the intersection of Clinton and Chestnut Avenues, Lozano collided with a motorcycle carrying two riders: Michael Timothy Connors (55, of Fresno) and Arba Renee Smith (50, of Clovis). The impact dragged the motorcycle under Lozano’s vehicle to the next intersection. Connors was pronounced deceased at the scene, and Smith died shortly after her arrival at Community Regional Medical Center.

The Fresno Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Bureau, including the Collision Reconstruction Unit, investigated the crash. Despite Lozano’s claim that he was traveling the posted speed limit of 40 mph, investigators determined his vehicle reached 96 mph seconds before the collision and was traveling between 76–84 mph at the moment of impact.

Lozano had no prior criminal history before these incidents.

This case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Steven Ueltzen as part of the Alcohol and Drug Impaired Driver Vertical Prosecution Program, which is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office thanks the California Highway Patrol and the Fresno Police Department for their investigative work and commitment to keeping roadways safe from impaired drivers.

This case is a reminder that driving under the influence is not limited to alcohol. It includes illicit drugs, prescription medications, and even over-the-counter substances that impair judgment and reaction time.

***

[F24906021]

Download this news release.(PDF, 198KB)