FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A 29-year-old Fresno mother is being remembered for her compassion and generosity after her life was cut short in a DUI crash, a tragedy her family says turned into a final act of giving.
Raluca Dumitrescu, a Romanian immigrant and mother of a 5-year-old boy, is being described by her family as someone who “could light up any room.”
After the crash, Dumitrescu was declared brain dead. In the midst of their grief, her family made the decision to donate her organs, a choice they say reflects who she was.
Why not give a life for other people?
Her mother asked.
“They found four people that she was compatible with to give her organs to four people,” her stepfather said.
When asked what that meant to her, her mother responded, “Happy, happy, happy, happy.”
In a letter read at the hospital, her family described her as someone who “didn’t walk into a room she changed it,” adding that even in death, “she is still doing what she always did best, helping others.”
Dumitrescu leaves behind her 5-year-old son, Peter, who is now living with family.
“We just told him that his mom’s his guardian angel now, and she’s gonna be watching over,” her stepfather said.
For her parents, that legacy brings some comfort.
“She’s not gone, yeah, it’s nice to know that some part of hers lives on,” her family said.
Crash details and charges
The crash happened around 12:18 a.m. on April 10 at Dakota and Chestnut avenues in northeast Fresno, according to the Fresno Police Department.
Investigators say a white Dodge traveling eastbound on Dakota collided with a white Chevy sedan heading south on Chestnut. Police believe the Chevy had the green light at the time.
Three people were involved in the crash.
The driver of the Chevy, identified by family as Angel Rodriguez, died from his injuries. Dumitrescu, who was a passenger, was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died.
The driver of the Dodge, identified as 32-year-old Joseph Douglas Gray, was arrested on suspicion of DUI. He was also hospitalized with serious injuries but listed in stable condition.
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has since charged Gray with murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing great bodily injury, and several additional charges.
Prosecutors allege Gray ran a red light at a high rate of speed while under the influence. They say his blood alcohol concentration was above 0.13%, and his car smelled like marijuana.
Authorities also say three puppies were inside Gray’s vehicle at the time of the crash, and one suffered major injuries, leading to an animal cruelty charge.
According to prosecutors, Gray has a prior DUI conviction from December 2025 in Los Angeles County and had been arrested twice before for DUI in Fresno County. He was on probation at the time of the crash.
If convicted on all charges, Gray faces 15 years to life in prison, in addition to nearly nine years on other counts. He remains in custody pending arraignment. Dumitrescu’s stepfather said he will be there.
Dumitrescu’s family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover medical and funeral costs and support her young son.