Stanislaus County, CA – On the morning of Monday, June 22, 2026, a series of collisions on southbound Interstate 5 resulted in two fatalities, multiple injuries, and the arrest of a suspected DUI driver, according to FOX40.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the series of crashes began around 11:50 PM Sunday on southbound Interstate 5 just north of Stuhr Road near Newman.
Authorities said Nancy Cortes Flores, 57, of Gustine, was driving a Honda sedan at high speed when she struck the rear of a Chevrolet Equinox driven by Roberto Covarrubian Navarro, 32, of Fresno. Following the initial crash, Flores and her passenger left their vehicle, which remained in the left lane.
A Toyota Camry then struck the sedan, followed at midnight by a Nissan SUV, whose five occupants later reported injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals.
At 12:14 AM, a Honda Pilot swerved to avoid the sedan and struck Covarrubian Navarro, who was outside his vehicle, causing him major injuries. He was transported to a nearby hospital in unknown condition.
Caltrans closed a portion of the right lane due to these crashes.
Around 2:25 AM, a Dodge Van traveling southbound at an unsafe speed struck the rear of a big rig approximately 300 feet north of the Caltrans closure. The van’s driver, a 19-year-old Los Angeles man, and the right front passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. The big rig driver was not injured.
Cortes Flores was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail. Caltrans remained on scene for five hours during the investigation. Investigators have not determined whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the second fatal crash. The investigation remains ongoing.
California DUI Law
Section 23153(a) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that it is illegal for any driver to “Operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, cause bodily injury to someone else.”
Wrongful Death Claim
Even if a fatal accident doesn’t lead to criminal charges, families who lose a loved one can still file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide support to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of support for dependents of the deceased.
Personal Injury 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 evidence reveal that another party contributed to the injuries, victims may be eligible to file a personal injury claim with the responsible party’s insurance, which can provide compensation for medical bills and lost wages during recovery.
Fresno Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Fresno car accident lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
