Repeat Drunk Driver Faces Murder Charges In Crash That Killed Four

Published on January 14, 2025

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Sean Allen Larry Guynes (32, of Kerman) for his role as the driver in a fatal traffic crash that occurred in the evening hours of January 10, 2025. It is alleged that while driving his Ford E350 southbound on North Floyd Avenue at the intersection with West Shaw Avenue, Guynes failed to yield to oncoming traffic and pulled his van into the path of a Nissan Altima that was driving westbound. The crash caused both vehicles to ignite. As a result of the crash, the driver and passenger in the Altima were killed, and two passengers from the Ford E350 were killed.

Investigation by the California Highway Patrol revealed that Guynes had provided false information about being a passenger in his van, and that he was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. It was also clear from his contact that evening with various law enforcement agencies that he was noticeably intoxicated.

The Felony Complaint filed in the Superior Court charges Sean Allen Larry Guynes with six counts:

• Four (4) Counts of MURDER [Penal Code §187];

• One (1) Count of FAILING TO PERFORM A DUTY FOLLOWING A FATAL COLLISION [Vehicle Code §20001(b)(2)];

• One (1) Count of DRIVING WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSE FROM A PRIOR DUI CONVICTION AND CAUSING INJURY [Vehicle Code 14601.4(a)]

Guynes was previously convicted of driving under the influence in 2018 in Fresno County. As a result of his plea in that case, he was advised by the court that driving under the influence was dangerous to human life, and that if he continued to drive impaired and as a result a person was killed, he could be charged with murder.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of four years plus 60-years-to-life in state prison.

Guynes was arrested by officers of the California Highway Patrol and remains in custody. He is scheduled to be arraigned on January 15, 2025, in Department 31 of the Fresno Superior Court.

Since the beginning of the new year, Fresno County has experienced a notable increase in fatal crashes involving impaired drivers. In just seven days, there have been three such crashes, resulting in the tragic loss of seven lives. The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office reminds everyone that driving under the influence is a dangerous and deadly combination.

The case is being prosecuted by the Alcohol and Drug Impaired Driver Vertical Prosecution Program. Funding for the program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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