Driver was inhaling air duster before teen killed in Parlier crash, DA alleges

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The driver in the deadly crash that claimed the life of a 15-year-old in Parlier was inhaling the gas from a compressed air duster immediately before the incident, the Fresno County District Attorney alleged in court on Friday. During the arraignment in Fresno County Superior Court, 35-year-old Tiffany Mercado of Parlier pleaded not guilty to the charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, assault with a deadly weapon, reckless driving causing injury, and driving without a license. She also pleaded not guilty to the new charge of DUI causing injury. It is alleged that Mercado was driving at between 80 mph and 100 mph when the vehicle struck and killed 15-year-old Parlier boy Juliani Moreno. The victim was crossing the street with his girlfriend, with the two holding hands at the time of the collision. The car then crashed a short time afterwards. Court records show the incident follows a decade of criminal activity in San Bernardino County. Inside the courtroom, Steven Ueltzen with the Fresno County District Attorney's Office detailed the prosecution's allegation that the driver was inhaling the gas from a can of compressed air. She was allegedly seen taking an air duster from inside the car and putting it in the trunk. Investigators established that the can had been purchased earlier in the day and was already halfway used. The prosecution alleged that one of the substances in the can of compressed air, difluoroethane, was being inhaled by Mercado for its intoxicating effects. "The defendant has stated previously, under Miranda, she used air duster cans for their intoxicating effects - but denied using them on the night of this collision. Despite that, the investigation by the Parlier Police Department revealed that the defendant was showing signs of intoxication, which were consistent with inhaling." The judge ruled that Mercado remain inside Fresno County Jail with no bail permitted. Mercado's next appearance in court is scheduled to take place on March 18. If found guilty on all charges, Mercado faces a maximum time in prison of 26 years. A candlelight vigil to honor the life of Juliani Moreno is being held on Saturday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m. at Earl Ruth Park in Parlier.