Repeat DUI Offender Charged with Murder After Deadly Hit-And-Run

Published on May 23, 2025

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has filed criminal charges against Luis Jimenez Ortiz (44, of Fresno) in connection with a fatal traffic collision that occurred on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025.

At approximately 6:00 p.m., Ortiz was allegedly driving southbound on North Thesta Street near East Belmont Avenue when he veered into the northbound lane and struck an electric bicycle ridden by Luis Garcia Perez (39, of Fresno), causing fatal injuries.

Following the collision, Ortiz is accused of fleeing the scene. Approximately ninety minutes later, he was involved in a second crash on northbound Highway 41, just south of American Avenue. He was contacted at the scene by officers from the California Highway Patrol, who determined he was under the influence of alcohol.

The Felony Complaint, filed in Fresno County Superior Court, charges Ortiz with the following seven counts:

• One (1) count of MURDER [Penal Code § 187];
  
• One (1) count of GROSS VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER WHILE INTOXICATED [Penal Code § 191.5(a)];
• One (1) count of DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL CAUSING INJURY [Vehicle Code § 23153(a)];
• One (1) count of DRIVING WITH A BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION OVER .08 CAUSING INJURY [Vehicle Code § 23153(b)];
• One (1) count of HIT-AND-RUN RESULTING IN DEATH [Vehicle Code § 20001(b)(2)];
• One (1) count of DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL [Vehicle Code § 23152(a)];
• One (1) count of DRIVING WITH A BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION OVER .08 [Vehicle Code § 23152(b)].

Ortiz has a prior DUI conviction from 2002 in San Joaquin County and is currently facing pending charges in Merced County for a 2022 incident involving driving under the influence of drugs.

If convicted on all charges, Ortiz faces a maximum sentence of four years and six months, plus 15 years to life in state prison.

Ortiz was arrested by officers from the Fresno Police Department on May 21, 2025, and remains in custody. His arraignment is scheduled for May 27, 2025, in Department 32 of the Fresno County Superior Court.

This case is being prosecuted by 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.

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