Pixley Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2017 DUI Murder

Late Friday afternoon on October 2, 2020, in Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, Jesus Suazo, age 28, was sentenced to 19 years-to-life in prison for murder. On October 25, 2019, a jury convicted Suazo of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing injury, fleeing the scene of an accident, and misdemeanor driving on a suspended license for prior DUI. Suazo possesses a prior DUI conviction from 2014.

Around 1:15 am in the morning on May 13, 2017, Suazo and his 27-year-old female passenger were driving southbound on Highway 99 north of Avenue 200 in Tulare at speeds of 100 mph when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into agricultural equipment at a nearby tractor business. The impact tore away the passenger side door and ejected the female victim.

Three hours later, a passing motorist called in the crash after seeing the vehicle. Upon arrival, first responders attended to the female, who was declared dead at the scene. A bloody handprint on the driver’s side door initiated a search for Suazo, who was found by law enforcement 20 minutes later hiding in the cab of a tractor at the business. His BAC was .14%. Suazo admitted he was driving and had come from a party earlier in the evening where family members told him not to drive. Suazo was still on probation for his prior DUI when the crime occurred.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Adam Clare and was investigated by Officer Brandon Elliott of the California Highway Patrol.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare
Assistant District Attorney Robert Dempsie (559) 636-5494