A Fresno County man with two previous drunk driving convictions was sentenced to 19 years to life Tuesday for driving under the influence and causing a fatal crash in the early morning hours of Jan. 11, 2023.
Shane Lee Shahan, 36, of Shaver Lake, was convicted of second-degree murder, hit-and-run resulting in death and driving with a suspended license. On Jan. 29, it took a Fresno County jury less than hour to return guilty verdicts on all counts.
The day of the crash, police said Shahan was travelling at about 80 mph on westbound McKinley Avenue at approximately 3 a.m. when he ran the red light at First Street.
As Shahan’s Chevy Colorado truck entered the intersection he slammed into a northbound Hyundi Elantra. A passenger in the Elantra, 35-year-old Jesse Espino of Clovis, was ejected and later died at a local hospital.
According to police, Shahan got out of his overturned truck, walked over to the Elantra before fleeing on foot. Police caught him walking along Highway 41 where he was arrested.
Although Shahan was found with a cell phone on him, he did not call for emergency help.
Blood tests revealed Shahan had alcohol and marijuana in his system.
Shahan had two previous alcohol-related driving convictions in 2016 and 2017. He was still on probation for the 2017 DUI when he caused the fatal crash in 2023.
Because of that conviction, he was warned by a judge that if he continued to drive impaired and someone died as a result he could be charged with murder. The warning is known as the “Watson Advisement.”
Prosecuting the case was Senior Deputy District Attorney Steven Ueltzen.
Shane Lee Shahan, 36, of Shaver Lake Fresno County Sheriff’s Office FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Esta historia fue publicada originalmente el 4 de marzo de 2026, 0:07 p. m..
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A Valley native, Robert has worked at The Fresno Bee since 1994, covering various topics including education, business, courts and agriculture.