Fresno, CA – The Fresno County Coroner’s Office has identified 20-year-old Ximena Salas and 19-year-old Willianna Salas as the two young women killed in a fiery wrong-way crash on the early morning of Wednesday, March 5, 2025, according to KSEE.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that the crash occurred around 2:30 AM at the McKinley Avenue off-ramp from eastbound Highway 168.
Authorities say multiple callers reported a dark-colored vehicle traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes at high speeds. The car, a 2005 Volvo driven by Willianna Salas, left the highway and crashed into a concrete barrier at McKinley Avenue. The impact caused the vehicle to catch fire, fully engulfing it in flames before emergency responders arrived.
First responders were unable to extricate the occupants due to the fire’s intensity. Both Ximena and Willianna Salas were pronounced dead at the scene. While they shared a last name, their relationship has not been confirmed.
The crash led to road closures as investigators worked to determine the cause of the collision. Authorities are examining whether speed, impairment, or other factors played a role in the fatal accident.
Single-Vehicle Collisions
In some cases, investigations may reveal that even in a single-vehicle accident, nearby drivers or unsafe road features share some responsibility. California’s Comparative Negligence rule means that, even if those injured in accidents are found partially at fault, they may still be eligible to receive partial compensation for damages.
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.
