Oakdale, CA – On the afternoon of Thursday, February 19, 2026, a head-on collision resulted in the death of a 48-year-old Oakdale woman and major injuries to a 28-year-old Ceres man, a 24-year-old Manteca woman, a 26-year-old Modesto man, and a 28-year-old Ceres woman, according to The Modesto Bee.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 2:56 PM on State Route 108/120 west of Kennedy Road.
Authorities said emergency personnel arrived to find two vehicles with major damage following a head-on impact. A preliminary investigation determined that the Oakdale woman was driving a 2013 Subaru sedan westbound on the highway when, for reasons still under investigation, she crossed over solid double yellow lines and entered the eastbound lane into the direct path of a 2019 Tesla sedan. The two vehicles collided head-on. The Subaru driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
The Tesla driver and his three passengers sustained major injuries and were transported to Oak Valley Medical Center for treatment. Investigators said all occupants in both vehicles were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Authorities stated that it remains unknown whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the collision.
State Route 108/120 was temporarily closed in the area during the investigation, and traffic was detoured with minimal delay. The crash remains under investigation.
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.
