Friant Roulette: Grand Jury tackles most dangerous intersection in Fresno

Fresno’s “most dangerous intersection” is in need of some vital changes, according to a report from the Fresno County Civil Grand Jury. 

The Civil Grand Jury released a report on the Friant Rd. and Shepherd Ave. intersection titled “Intersection of Friant and Shepherd AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN, AGAIN!!,” calling for changes to oversight, road layout and signage. 

Driving the news: The Friant and Shepherd intersection is often perceived as the most dangerous intersection in Fresno given the number of accidents and fatalities that have occurred there. 

A YouTube channel named Friant Roulette has also boosted that perception, publishing accidents that occur. 

That public perception has been backed up by the data. A Fresno intersection crash analysis published by firm Jacoby & Meyers in March 2025 found that the Friant and Shepherd intersection is the most dangerous in Fresno with 21 crashes from 2020 to 2024. 

What the issues are: The Grand Jury found that the primary issue with the intersection is northbound traffic on Friant impeding on westbound traffic from Shepard turning southbound onto Friant. 

The Fresno Police Department told the Grand Jury that the primary reasons for red light infractions are driving under the influence, excessive speed and failure to obey posted signage. 

Decreased police presence: “There is agreement from all parties that increased police presence and enforcement activities would lead to a decrease in accidents and incidents for this intersection,” the report reads. 

But budget constraints have redirected police from traffic control to other priorities. 

“Specifically, the reduction of motorcycle police officers decreased from 85 in 2014 to 45 presently,” the report reads. “This represents a decrease of nearly 50%.” 

Changes under consideration: Per the report, the city is already considering two changes to the intersection focused on the right-hand turn from northbound Friant to eastbound Shepherd. 

The first change is a “pork chop” right hand turn lane. 

The second is to eliminate the left lane on northbound Friant and add a second right hand turn onto eastbound Shepherd. 

The changes would cost between $1.25 million to $2 million. 

While the changes would reduce congestion, they do not address the red-light runners on northbound Friant. 

Other issues: The report also detailed how the slight left-hand curve on Friant does not allow drivers approaching Shepherd to have a complete view of the intersection and all stop lights until 280 yards out. 

Further, the 10-food sound wall that was constructed in 2007 impedes the view of westbound drivers on Shepherd, limiting their opportunity to view northbound traffic in Friant. 

The intersection also does not have signage prior to the intersection warning of the upcoming stop light. 

What we’re watching: The Grand Jury issued 11 recommendations that will require a response from the city within 90 days. 

The report calls for the police department to increase its presence at the intersection. 

It also calls for the city to change the green right-turn arrow lights at northbound Friant to a flashing yellow arrow and to enhance signage leading to the intersection, including a flashing beacon on northbound Friant. 

The Grand Jury also recommends that the city remove the left-hand turn lane at northbound Friant, increase timing intervals for the signal lights, prune the evergreen trees or remove them in the median and to remove a portion of the barrier wall on the east side of northbound Friant. 

Photo: Friant Roulette