A 13‑year‑old Fresno boy, Dominiq Puentes, was killed late Friday night after a collision involving a moped and a truck at the intersection of Bullard Avenue and Palm Avenue in northwest Fresno. Police received multiple emergency calls around 10:40 p.m. and arrived to find both juveniles on the ground with severe injuries. Puentes was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities confirmed that Puentes had been operating the moped, with a 12‑year‑old passenger riding behind him. The younger boy was transported to Community Regional Medical Center in critical condition, where he remains hospitalized. Early reports mistakenly listed Puentes as 17, but the Fresno County Coroner’s Office later corrected his age to 13.
Investigators said the white truck involved in the crash was traveling west on Bullard Avenue and entered the intersection at Palm when the collision occurred. The driver stayed at the scene, cooperated with officers, and showed no signs of impairment. Police stated that drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors in the crash.
The Fresno Police Department’s Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to analyze physical evidence and review surveillance footage from nearby businesses to determine the exact sequence of events. Officers noted that a motorcycle was attached to the truck at the time, a detail still under examination. The scene was described as chaotic due to a large crowd of pedestrians gathering immediately after the impact.
Family members and community residents gathered at the crash site the following day, leaving balloons and candles in Puentes’ memory. Local business owners near the intersection reported that fatal crashes have occurred there before, including a 2020 collision that killed four people. The area remains a point of concern for residents who say speeding and hurried driving are common.
Puentes was a student at Phoenix Secondary Academy and previously attended Tenaya Middle School, according to Fresno Unified School District. The district released a statement expressing grief over the loss and offering emotional support resources for students and staff. Police urge anyone with additional information or video footage to contact the department’s non‑emergency line at 559‑621‑7000 as the investigation remains ongoing.
