Parlier Community in Shock After 15-Year-Old Struck and Killed by Alleged Intoxicated Driver

 The Parlier, California community is mourning the tragic death of 15-year-old Juliani Moreno, who was struck and killed in a suspected DUI crash on the evening of March 10, 2026. The devastating incident has left family, friends, and neighbors grappling with the sudden loss of a young life.

According to Parlier police, emergency calls came in around 5:45 p.m. reporting a vehicle hitting a pedestrian near Mendocino and Parlier avenues. Officers arrived to find Moreno unresponsive at the scene; he was later pronounced dead.

Investigators reported that 35-year-old Tiffany Mercado was driving at a high rate of speed when she struck Moreno as he crossed the roadway. After hitting the teenager, Mercado continued north before crashing into Francy’s Bridal Flower Shop about a block away, causing significant damage to the storefront and landscaping, which was captured on surveillance video.

Authorities say Mercado displayed signs of impairment and is suspected of driving under the influence of an intoxicant at the time of the collision. She was arrested and booked into Fresno County Jail on multiple felony charges, including vehicular manslaughter and DUI causing death, with bail set at $315,000.

The intersection remained closed for several hours while Parlier police, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Highway Patrol conducted a thorough investigation into the crash.

Family and community members are left mourning the loss of Juliani Moreno, a young life tragically cut short. Authorities continue to urge anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward as the investigation proceeds.

This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by impaired driving and the devastating impact it can have on families and communities.