Had Barrios been convicted, she was facing a maximum of four years in prison.<\/p>\n
Family members of the motorcycle rider, 39-year-old Michael Alexander Diaz, were devastated to learn the person responsible for the death of their beloved \u201cMikey\u201d won\u2019t be punished.<\/p>\n
Sarah Ochoa, Diaz\u2019s sister, said the family has spent four years anxiously waiting for the driver to be located, arrested and charged. And when Barrios finally was booked into jail on Aug. 4, she felt a sense of relief.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gave us hope that my brother would get justice,\u201d Ochoa said. \u201cAnd then we find out that they had to let her go. She killed somebody, she killed my little brother, and now she gets to go free.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taylor Long, public information officer for the Fresno County District Attorney\u2019s Office, said that prosecutors met with the family directly and explained the circumstances surrounding the dismissal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an incredibly frustrating and heartbreaking outcome,\u201d Long said in a statement. \u201cThe victim\u2019s family has waited years for answers and accountability after losing their loved one, and we understand their anger, disappointment, and frustration.\u201d<\/p>\n
Long explained that when the case was submitted to the DA\u2019s Office by the California Highway Patrol, the prosecutor carefully reviewed the investigative history and applicable law.<\/p>\n
Based on that review and the information available to the prosecutor at the time, the case was filed July 10, 2026, she said. After the filing, the statute of limitations issue was \u201cfurther evaluated in light of the full investigative timeline and applicable law.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was ultimately determined that the statute of limitations had expired and the prosecution could no longer legally proceed,\u201d she said. \u201cOur office pursued this case when it was legally able to do so. Unfortunately, once it was determined that the statute of limitations had expired, there was no legal avenue available for us to continue the prosecution.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ochoa was told by prosecutors that cases of felony hit-and-run causing serious injury or death, have to be filed within three years. The crash happened in June 2022 and a criminal complaint wasn\u2019t issued until this summer on July 10.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho is going to hold her accountable now?\u201d Ochoa said. \u201cWho is going to answer to the family and his children?\u201d<\/p>\n
Diaz, who was living in Caruthers, leaves behind six children. They are being cared for by his mother, Rosa Diaz, and Ochoa.<\/p>\n
Michael Alexander Diaz, center, and his family, from far left to right, Rosa Diaz, Julissa, Elvia (on shoulders), Sariah, Armani, Adrian and Jayden. SPECIAL TO THE BEE <\/p>\n
\u201cMy brother is going to be missed by so many people, he had such a big heart and loved all his kids,\u201d Ochoa said. \u201cHe never missed any of their games. He was always there for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The day of the crash, Ochoa said Diaz got up early on Father\u2019s Day to pay his respects to his deceased dad, who is buried at Fresno Memorial Gardens. Riding his motorcycle, Diaz was about 15 minutes away when the crash happened.<\/p>\n
According to the CHP, Barrios was driving her 2002 BMW east on Floral when she ran stop sign, smashing into Diaz, who was heading north on Henderson.<\/p>\n
The BMW spun out of control and collided with a row of grapevines and a wood pole.<\/p>\n
Witnesses reported seeing the driver get out of the BMW and start walking east on Floral Avenue.<\/p>\n
During the investigation, CHP officers were unable to find the owner of the car. It was registered to a man in Tollhouse, who was believed to be unhoused and last seen in Prather.<\/p>\n
Barrios was finally arrested on Aug. 4 and arraigned two days later. She pleaded not guilty.<\/p>\n
This story was originally published September 29, 2026 at 5:48 PM.<\/p>\n
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