Coalinga, CA – On the evening of Thursday, June 19, 2025, a fiery wrong-way collision involving three vehicles resulted in fatal injuries to three people, according to ABC30.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the crash occurred around 7:00 PM on northbound Interstate 5 near Coalinga, when a woman driving a Jeep Cherokee southbound in the northbound lanes collided head-on with a transport van occupied by two individuals.
Shortly after the initial collision, a Toyota sedan carrying two occupants struck the wreckage. The Toyota’s occupants were able to exit the vehicle before it and the others became fully engulfed in flames.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene and found all three vehicles ablaze. The woman driving the Jeep and the two occupants of the transport van were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims’ identities have not yet been confirmed due to the severity of the fire damage. The individuals in the Toyota were not seriously injured.
Investigators confirmed that CHP units were already en route following a 911 call reporting a wrong-way driver shortly before the crash.
The cause of the incident, including whether drugs or alcohol played a role, remains under investigation. Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the crash to contact the CHP.
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.
