Suspect in deadly crash in northeast Fresno appears in court

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- For nearly eight months, Amaya Chenot's family has been in limbo mourning her loss and hoping for justice.

"Waiting. That's about all we can do. Do what we can for her memorial site and look at pictures and try to talk about the good times with her," Amaya Chenot's Aunt Lindsay said.

Family and friends have often described the young woman as the type of person who always wore a smile on her face and would drop anything to help someone in need -- even if it meant going out of her way.

The 22-year-old's life was abruptly cut short early April 12 when she was T-boned turning onto Friant Road from Shepherd.

RELATED: Woman killed in crash involving tow truck in northeast Fresno, police say

Fresno Police say 53-year-old John Ashcraft ran the red light on Friant in a tow truck.

The crash was captured on video by Daniel Wells -- who had set up a camera in his backyard after frequent accidents at the intersection.

RELATED: Calls for change continue at northeast Fresno intersection after deadly crash

Her family credits that footage with getting Ashcraft charged.

"If it wasn't for him I don't think that we'd be here today. There was a different story being played out. I think without that video evidence we wouldn't be staying here," Lindsay Chenot said.

Police say when Ashcraft got behind the wheel of the big truck he was high on meth and didn't have a license.

It would be more than seven months before a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Ashcraft faces multiple charges including felony gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, felony DUI causing injury, running a red light and driving without a license.

On November 29, he was booked into jail on a $125,000 bond.

Her family would have to wait another two weeks before his court appearance, bringing them one step closer to justice but not easing their pain.

"It's hard for us to accept, of course, a lot of time has went on, a lot of questions that have sat unanswered," Lindsay Chenot said. "It's not bringing her back so it's not doing too much for us as a family."

Ashcraft was cited for driving on a suspended or revoked license less than two years before this crash in May 2021 -- has several drug and probation related violations stemming from 2007 and 2008 -- and multiple instances of failing to appear for court.

That history influenced the judge's decision to reject a request made by the defense for a reduction of bail or pretrial release.

Ashcraft pleaded not guilty on all charges he is set to appear in court again January 17.

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