PARLIER – A woman has been charged with multiple felony counts related to the death of a 15-year-old student from Parlier.
The Parlier Police Department arrested Parlier resident Tiffany Mercado, 35, on March 10 following a vehicle versus pedestrian crash that injured one teen and killed another. The deceased teen was identified by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office as Juliani Moreno, 15, of Parlier.
Moreno was from Parlier and most recently attended Immanuel High School in Reedley. According to a statement Parlier Unified School District released on March 11, the school district has made mental health and counseling services available districtwide for any students or staff in need of assistance.
“This heartbreaking loss has had a profound impact on our community, including our students and employees,” PUSD said. “During this difficult time, our thoughts remain with Juliani’s loved ones and all who are grieving.”
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office announced on March 12 that it filed multiple felony charges against Mercado, including one count of gross vehicular manslaughter, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury and one county of driving without a license.
According to the felony complaint submitted by the DA’s office, Mercado’s charges also include enhancements for personal infliction of great bodily injury and use of a deadly weapon and aggravating factors related to prior felony convictions.
Mercado previously received a felony strike conviction in San Bernardino County and had six additional prior felony convictions. She had been sentenced to six years in state prison in April 2024 and was released on Jan. 2, 2026, and placed on Post Release Community Supervision.
A press release from the DA’s office said Mercado was booked on additional driving under the influence charges at the time of her arrest.
“Based on the evidence currently available, and while toxicology and other investigative reports remain pending, the District Attorney’s Office filed the charges listed above,” the press release said. “The case will continue to be evaluated as additional evidence becomes available.”
If Mercado is convicted of all charges made against her by the DA’s office, she could face up to 19 years in state prison.
Preliminary investigation by the Parlier Police Department indicates that Mercado was driving southbound on Mendocino Avenue approaching Parlier Avenue on March 10 and failed to stop at a stop sign, entering the intersection at a high rate of speed. Mercado hit two teenagers walking in the crosswalk on the west side of the intersection; Moreno was pronounced dead at the scene.
Parlier Interim Police Chief Michael Salvador told reporters at the scene that officers were dispatched to the crash site at around 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. The department requested assistance with the investigation from the California Highway Patrol and FSO and also asked for officers from the Reedley and Selma police departments to help control the scene.
Following the collision, Mercado is believed to have crashed into the storefront of Francy’s Bridal Flowers, located about 600 feet south of the intersection on the east side of Mendocino Avenue.
In a statement posted to social media, Parlier Mayor Alma Beltran said city officials are taking the matter very seriously and are working to understand the full circumstances around the incident.
“We are committed to a thorough review and to ensuring that accountability and justice are pursued appropriately,” Beltran said.
A GoFundMe has been set up by a family friend to support Moreno’s family, titled “In Memory of Juliani (Gio) Moreno.”
