Madera County, CA – According to the Fresno Bee, the victims of a fatal multi-vehicle collision on the afternoon of Saturday, March 22, 2026, have been identified as follows:
- Marcos Hernandez Perez, 26, of Madera
- Leslany Santoyo, 23, of Merced
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 5:45 PM near the intersection of Highways 41 and 145.
Authorities said Perez was driving a Dodge Challenger westbound on Highway 145 with Santoyo in the passenger seat when, for reasons still unknown, he appeared to lose control of the vehicle after overcorrecting and veered into the eastbound lane, colliding head-on with a Honda CR-V driven by a 33-year-old man.
A Honda Accord traveling westbound subsequently crashed into the CR-V. Both Perez and Santoyo were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Honda CR-V was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries.
The 25-year-old driver of the Honda Accord briefly stopped at the scene with his passenger, a 23-year-old man, before one of the two fled. Authorities initially arrested the individual who fled on suspicion of hit-and-run and driving under the influence.
However, a subsequent investigation by the California Highway Patrol on Monday determined that the man who fled was actually the passenger at the time of the crash. The man who had remained at the scene was subsequently arrested.
The investigation 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.
Passenger Liability
Driver liability insurance covers both those outside the vehicle and passengers inside. While it can be emotionally difficult to file a wrongful death claim against someone close to the victim, the financial challenges after an accident can be overwhelming. As a neutral third party, an experienced personal injury attorney can help navigate these emotional complexities.
Modesto Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Modesto car accident lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
