San Joaquin County, CA – On the evening of Thursday, December 18, 2025, a head-on collision resulted in fatal injuries to one adult man and major injuries to a woman and a child, according to KCRA, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 6:35 PM near Highway 33 just north of Vernalis Road, southeast of Tracy.
Authorities said a silver pickup truck was traveling eastbound on Highway 33 when it crossed into the opposing lane for reasons still under investigation and collided head-on with a black van. The male driver of the van suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by fire personnel. A woman and a child who were passengers in the van sustained major injuries and were transported to San Joaquin General Hospital for treatment.
The man driving the pickup truck reportedly sustained minor injuries to his extremities and was transported to Doctors Medical Center for evaluation. CHP stated that drugs and alcohol are not believed to have been factors in the crash.
CHP Fatal logs show that the collision prompted a large emergency response, including fire crews, medical personnel, and the coroner, and that Highway 33 was closed in both directions for approximately two hours while investigators documented the scene and Caltrans assisted with traffic control. The investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.
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 Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California Wrongful Death Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
