Above: Shane Shahan booking photo | Fresno PD
The Fresno Police Department has announced that a man suspected in connection with a fatal DUI collision back in January is now facing a charge of murder.
According to a press release by the department, 33-year-old Shane Shahan faces multiple charges in connection with the collision, and these charges now include murder based on an agreement Shahan signed following a previous DUI conviction.
The investigation began in the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 11, when Southeast Policing District officers responded to a report of a collision at the intersection of First Street and McKinley Avenue. At the scene, officers reportedly found two vehicles — a Hyundai Elantra and Chevrolet Colorado — had collided in the intersection.
Two occupants were found injured inside the Elantra and were taken to an area medical center for treatment. While the driver’s condition was stabilized, the passenger died as a result of their injuries.
The Colorado was unoccupied, and officers determined based on witness statements that the driver, later identified as Shahan, had fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival. They later located Shahan in a nearby neighborhood and, after identifying him as the suspect driver, took him into custody on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run causing death, and driving under the influence.
Shahan later posted bond and was given a court date, police said.
Collision Reconstruction Units later discovered that Shahan had a prior felony conviction for DUI, during which he signed what is known as a Watson Advisement. A signed Watson Advisement warns the DUI criminal defendant that if they are ever involved in a drunk-driving accident that results in a person being killed, the drunk driver will be charged with murder.
As such, following the issue of a murder warrant, Shahan was taken back into custody on June 14. It was unclear at press time whether Shahan had retained an attorney.
