Fresno County, California (December 29, 2025) — A husband and wife from Coalinga were killed Monday evening in a suspected DUI crash on Highway 145, according to the California Highway Patrol and the Fresno County Coroner’s Office. The victims were identified as Carlos Pimentel, 69, and his wife, Maria Pimentel, 62.
Incident Details: The collision occurred just before 7:30 p.m. on Highway 145 south of Ford Avenue. CHP officers reported that a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Shawn Borecha of Riverside was traveling southbound when he attempted to pass two vehicles and veered into the northbound lane.
Authorities said Borecha’s vehicle collided head-on with the Pimentels’ Hyundai. Both Carlos and Maria Pimentel suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead as a result of the crash. Borecha sustained minor injuries.
Investigators arrested Borecha on suspicion of driving under the influence. He is expected to face multiple felony charges, including manslaughter, according to CHP.
Investigation: The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. In suspected DUI head-on collisions, investigators typically focus on toxicology results to determine blood alcohol content (BAC), vehicle speed, lane positioning, and the decision-making that led to a vehicle crossing into oncoming traffic.
Passing maneuvers on two-lane highways are particularly hazardous, as they leave little room for error. Investigators are expected to examine physical evidence from the scene, including vehicle damage, debris (such as broken glass) patterns, and roadway markings, to reconstruct how the collision unfolded and whether additional factors contributed.
The evidence will not only help determine the immediate cause of the head-on crash but also confirm if other contributing factors were at play, such as poor road conditions, mechanical failure, or issues with sight obstruction. The findings from this comprehensive examination will be vital in assigning legal liability and, in cases of suspected DUI, supporting the criminal charges.
Legal Considerations: Head-on collisions caused by suspected impaired driving are among the most devastating and preventable roadway tragedies. When a driver crosses into oncoming traffic, innocent motorists are placed in immediate danger, often leading to fatal outcomes. From a civil perspective, determining liability may require an assessment of the impaired driver’s behavior and a thorough evaluation of the damages suffered by the victims’ families.
Depending on the outcome of the investigation and the criminal case, the Pimentel’s surviving family members may consider pursuing wrongful death claims to address funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the profound emotional impact of losing both parents and spouses in a single, preventable collision. Accountability in these cases matters, particularly when impaired driving shatters an entire family.
I extend my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Carlos and Maria Pimentel as they grieve this devastating loss.
Source: ABC30 / KFSN