Nipomo, CA – In the early evening of Monday, April 28, 2025, a wrong-way, head-on collision resulted in fatal injuries to two individuals, according to The San Luis Obispo Tribune.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that the accident took place around 6:25 PM near Orchard Road and Cherry Blossom Place.
According to investigators, Fernando Contreras, 70, of Santa Maria, was traveling southbound in the northbound lane of Orchard Road for reasons that remain under investigation.
His vehicle collided head-on with a car driven by Darlene Leticia Scruggs, 49, of Nipomo, who was driving northbound. Following the initial impact, Contreras’ car overturned and struck a third vehicle driven by Melchor David Delagarza, 63, also of Nipomo.
Contreras’ vehicle came to rest on its side along the dirt shoulder on the east side of the roadway, while Scruggs’ car was pushed off the opposite side. Delagarza’s vehicle stopped in the northbound lane. Contreras and Scruggs both sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. Delagarza’s condition was not specified by authorities, and it is unclear whether he sustained any injuries.
The CHP noted that the severity of the damage suggests Contreras may have been driving at a high speed at the time of the crash, though the exact speed remains unknown. Investigators have not yet determined whether drugs or alcohol played a role.
The crash remains under investigation, and the CHP urges anyone with information or who witnessed the collision to contact their office.
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.
