Salinas, CA – On the afternoon of Friday, May 30, 2025, a two-vehicle collision involving a big rig resulted in one fatality, according to KSBW.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 3:07 PM near the intersection of Highway 101 and Hartnell Road.
Authorities said a big rig was traveling south on Highway 101 and began to make a left turn near Hartnell Road. At the same time, a pickup truck was traveling northbound and attempted to avoid the turning trailer. Despite evasive action, the pickup crashed head-on into the trailer portion of the big rig and became lodged underneath it.
Emergency responders arrived quickly on the scene and confirmed that one person in the pickup truck was killed in the crash. The victim’s identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin by the Monterey County Coroner’s Office.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet determined whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident.
Wrongful Death Claims & Comparative Negligence
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s Comparative Negligence rule, several parties can share partial responsibility. Should someone else be found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support the family of the deceased.
