Sacramento, CA – On the morning of Saturday, September 13, 2025, a fiery two-vehicle collision killed a pickup driver and injured another motorist, according to The Sacramento Bee, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 7:01 AM on northbound Interstate 5 just north of Sutterville Road.
Investigators determined that the crash involved a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck and a big rig towing two trailers. The pickup lost a tire and stalled in the No. 3 lane. The big rig driver, traveling northbound, collided with the disabled truck.
The front of the semi struck the Toyota Tacoma, sparking an explosion and fire that engulfed both vehicles. Flames quickly consumed the pickup, trapping its driver inside. Emergency crews arrived within minutes but could not reach the motorist before the fire overwhelmed the cab.
Officials with the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the driver of the pickup died in the collision. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s name pending notification of family members.
The big rig driver survived the crash and escaped from the burning vehicle. Paramedics treated him at the scene before transporting him to a nearby hospital. CHP officials described his injuries as minor.
The force of the collision scattered debris across the highway. Pieces of the semi’s load spread into traffic lanes, striking multiple vehicles. At least two secondary crashes occurred as drivers attempted to avoid or remove debris from the roadway. CHP later reported a wreck on southbound I-5 near 43rd Street caused by motorists stopping to pick up scattered material.
The crash shut down the interstate for nearly five hours. Caltrans assisted with traffic control and roadway cleanup while tow crews recovered the wreckage. By late morning, firefighters had cooled hotspots from the semi and pickup, and crews cleared remaining debris. CHP reopened all lanes of northbound I-5 before noon.
Authorities said driver impairment did not appear to contribute to the crash. CHP continues to investigate the sequence of events and asks for anyone who witnessed the fiery collision to contact investigators.
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.
California Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California Truck Accident Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
