FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — DUI charges have been added to the criminal complaint against Tiffany Mercado, the suspect in a hit-and-run crash that killed a Parlier teen.
Mercado appeared in a Fresno County courtroom on Friday when the new charges were added.
She has pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.
Initial charges for this incident included vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, reckless driving, assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm and being an unlicensed driver.
The crash killed 15-year-old Juliani Moreno, who was crossing the street with his girlfriend, Mercedes, at the intersection of Mendocino Avenue on Tuesday.
Mercado holds an extensive criminal record, dating back to 2013. Her most recent conviction came in 2024, which included robbery and assault.
She was sentenced to six years in prison but was released less than two years into that sentence on January 2.
She will remain in custody with no bail. Mercado’s next court appearances are scheduled for March 18 and March 25.
