FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A Fresno County jury on Tuesday heard key evidence in the murder trial of Shane Shahan, as prosecutors called their first witness to testify about a fatal crash in January 2023.

The witness, Fresno Police Officer Vincent Tinoco, was among the first officers to respond to a crash at First and McKinley.

Prosecutors allege Shahan caused the collision while driving at a high rate of speed and under the influence, resulting in the death of passenger Jesse Espino.

Tinoco testified that Shahan fled the crash scene after officers arrived.

“They looked back to our vehicle and proceeded to run northbound along the 41,” Tinoco said.

RELATED: Trial begins for deadly Central Fresno crash charged as murder

Jurors were shown video that prosecutors said depicts Shahan driving nearly 80 miles per hour before running a red light and crashing into a Hyundai.

Investigators said Espino was taken to a hospital, where he later died. Prosecutors also said Shahan had alcohol and marijuana in his system.

Tinoco described Shahan’s behavior after he was detained following the crash.

“He was just saying, ‘Sorry. Sorry. Sorry, I got scared. I didn’t know what to do,'” Tinoco testified.

The officer told jurors he observed several behaviors he associated with intoxication.

“He was scared. I could smell the odor of alcohol on him. He was sweating profusely. Talking erratically,” Tinoco said.

Shahan has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge. Prosecutors argue the charge is based on alleged intoxication at the time of the crash, though Shahan was not charged separately with driving under the influence.

Defense attorney and Action News Legal Analyst Tony Capozzi questioned Tinoco about his observations, suggesting Shahan may not have shown clear signs of impairment.

“You didn’t recall any slurred speech, correct?” Capozzi asked.

“That’s correct,” Tinoco replied.

“You don’t recall bloodshot eyes?” Capozzi asked.

“No, sir,” the officer responded.

Capozzi also questioned whether photos taken after the crash could show signs of intoxication.

“[Were] any pictures taken of the defendant’s face?” Capozzi asked.

“That, I can’t recall. I wasn’t there for that,” Tinoco said.

Later testimony indicated Tinoco was not specifically looking for bloodshot eyes while assessing Shahan at the scene.

Attorneys in the case estimate the trial will last about two weeks.

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