Reedley Man Charged With Murder After Kingsburg Teen's Death

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office filed murder charges on November 28 against Daniel Lemus, 27, of Reedley, in connection with a November 7 crash that ultimately killed 17 year old Christian Crabb of Kingsburg. The charges come after an investigation by the California Highway Patrol found Lemus was under the influence at the time of the collisions, and after the Fresno County Coroner identified the Mustang driver as Crabb, who died three days after the collision.

According to reporting by GV Wire, the morning of November 7 began with a vehicle stopped at a red light on Manning Avenue near South Mendocino Avenue when Lemus allegedly rear ended that car. Lemus then continued and collided with another vehicle at Mendocino Avenue and East Rose Avenue. The sequence of impacts and the involvement of multiple vehicles have heightened attention on traffic safety at those intersections within north Fresno County.

Lemus was arrested on November 25 and remains in Fresno County Jail. Prosecutors noted he has a prior 2021 vehicular manslaughter conviction tied to a 2019 crash that killed an 8 year old. If convicted of murder in the new case he faces a possible sentence of 15 years to life.

For families in Kingsburg, Reedley and surrounding communities the case is a stark reminder of the human cost of impaired driving. Local residents expressed concern about intersections where drivers often stop and start near schools, churches and businesses, and about the prospect of a repeat offender causing further tragedy. The legal developments will likely prompt renewed calls for enforcement of DUI laws and for traffic safety reviews at the Manning and Mendocino corridors.

The case will proceed through the Fresno County court system where prosecutors must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. In the meantime Lemus remains in custody and the community is left to mourn a teenager whose life was cut short. Local officials and law enforcement agencies may face pressure to communicate plans for prevention and to reassure residents that steps are being taken to reduce the risk of similar incidents.