Investigations by the California Highway Patrol reveal that Perez was driving a Dodge Challenger westbound on Highway 145 when he lost control. Perez then overcorrected and drifted into the path of an eastbound Honda CR-V, leading to a collision
Madera County, CA – The two people who were killed in a multi-vehicle collision that took place in Madera County on Saturday have been identified.
According to the authorities, Marcos Hernandez Perez, 26, of Madera, and Leslany Santoyo, 23, of Merced, died following the accident that happened on highways 41 and 145 on Saturday, March 21.
Investigations by the California Highway Patrol reveal that Perez was driving a Dodge Challenger westbound on Highway 145 when he lost control. Perez then overcorrected and drifted into the path of an eastbound Honda CR-V, leading to a collision.
Shortly after, the CR-V was hit by a Honda Accord that was also traveling westbound.
Perez and Santoyo, who was his passenger at the time, were both declared dead at the scene. The two were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident, according to the CHP.
The driver of the CR-V, a 33-year-old man, was flown to a hospital in serious condition. His name has not yet been released.
According to CHP, the Accord had two occupants, a 25-year-old and a 23-year-old. One of the men drove away after stopping briefly, leaving the other occupant behind. The man was later located and arrested on suspicion of DUI and hit-and-run.
Upon further investigation, CHP learned that the Accord occupant who left behind was the one operating the vehicle at the time of the collision. The 25-year-old was eventually arrested in connection with the accident.
An investigation by the CHP is still ongoing.
Original Story
Madera County, CA – Two people were killed in a multi-vehicle crash at an intersection in Madera County Saturday evening, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The fatal three-vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of Highway 41 and Highway 145 at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Saturday.
According to preliminary reports, a Dodge Challenger collided with two other vehicles. Authorities have not yet confirmed the sequence of events leading up to the collision or how the vehicles collided.
The driver and a passenger of the Dodge Challenger sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities have not been released pending notification of next of kin. It remains unclear whether anyone in the other vehicles was injured.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and worked to secure the area while conducting an initial investigation into the crash.
The collision caused disruptions in the area surrounding the intersection as authorities managed the scene and cleared the roadway.
The incident remains under investigation, and officials say additional details will be released as they become available.
According to the California Highway Patrol and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, California consistently records a high number of traffic fatalities each year. In recent data from NHTSA, the state reported over 4,000 traffic-related deaths annually, with a significant portion occurring on highways and rural roads. The CHP also notes that multi-vehicle crashes at intersections remain a leading cause of serious and fatal injuries across the state.
If you have lost a loved one in a multi-vehicle accident, you may want to speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. An accident attorney will help protect your rights, guide you through the claims process, and ensure you pursue the compensation you deserve.