San Luis Obispo County, CA – On the evening of Saturday, March 28, 2026, a multi-vehicle collision resulted in the death of Nancy Louise Cunningham, 69, of Stratham, Georgia, and left five others injured, according to The San Luis Obispo Tribune.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 9:30 PM near the base of the Cuesta Grade on northbound Highway 101 near Higuera Ranch Road.
Authorities said a Toyota Camry attempted to turn left onto southbound Highway 101 from Higuera Ranch when it was struck by a 2023 Toyota Highlander traveling northbound as it crossed the northbound lanes. The Highlander traveled across the southbound lanes before coming to rest on the right shoulder. The Camry sustained major damage and was disabled, blacked out, and facing the wrong way in the number one northbound lane.
Cunningham, a passenger in the Camry, opened the front passenger door and began to exit the vehicle when she was struck by a Hyundai Tucson traveling northbound whose driver did not see the disabled Camry in the lane ahead. Cunningham was thrown from the vehicle and landed in the southbound left turn lane at Higuera Ranch, where she was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.
Five other patients, including two adult drivers and three juvenile passengers, were transported to Adventist Health Sierra Vista hospital in San Luis Obispo for treatment of injuries ranging from moderate in severity. Several lanes of traffic were closed while emergency responders worked the scene, though the number two lanes and shoulders remained open. All vehicles involved were towed for evidence purposes.
Drugs and alcohol were not believed to be factors in the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.
Ongoing Investigations
Victims of traffic accidents and their families should be aware that authorities may fail to note or even misinterpret critical evidence at a crash site. One of the services that a Personal Injury Attorney can provide is to pursue follow-up investigations, which can reveal additional evidence to correct any errors made by previous 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.
Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Bakersfield wrongful death lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
