Tuolumne County, CA – On the morning of Sunday, October 12, 2025, a crash east of Sonora claimed the life of an 82-year-old woman from Beijing, China, according to The Modesto Bee.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 10:00 AM on Highway 120 near Menke Ness Road.
Investigators say that a 51-year-old man from Beijing was driving a 2025 Jeep Compass eastbound on Highway 120 with two passengers, a 52-year-old woman and an 82-year-old woman.
The SUV was traveling behind a Caltrans vehicle driven by Jesse Warren, 33, in a section of roadway where eastbound and westbound lanes were divided by a broken yellow line.
As the Jeep allegedly began to pass the Caltrans vehicle using the westbound lane, authorities say Warren attempted to make a left turn into a state-owned driveway.
The Jeep’s driver appeared to have swerved left to avoid a collision and veered off the north side of the highway before striking an embankment. The impact caused the vehicle to overturn onto its roof.
Emergency responders arrived to find all three occupants wearing seatbelts. The driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to Adventist Health Sonora for treatment. The 52-year-old front-seat passenger sustained moderate injuries and was taken to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. The 82-year-old woman, who was seated in the back, died at the scene from her injuries.
Traffic control remained in effect for several hours as law enforcement and recovery crews worked to clear the scene.
The California Highway Patrol said alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the collision to contact the CHP Sonora Area Office.
Ongoing Investigations
Victims of traffic accidents and their families should be aware that authorities may fail to note or even misinterpret critical evidence at a crash site. One of the services that a Personal Injury Attorney can provide is to pursue follow-up investigations, which can reveal additional evidence to correct any errors made by previous investigators.
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.
California Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California Car Accident Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
