The collision occurred at approximately 11:50 p.m. on June 21, 2026, on southbound Interstate 5 north of West Stuhr Road.
Newman, CA – Several people were injured, one seriously, following a chain-reaction crash on Interstate 5 near Newman late Sunday night, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The collision occurred at approximately 11:50 p.m. on June 21, 2026, on southbound Interstate 5 north of West Stuhr Road.
Investigators said a 2013 Honda sedan, operated by Nancy Cortes Flores, 57, of Gustine, was traveling southbound on I-5 at a high rate of speed when it rear-ended a Chevrolet Equinox. After the crash, Flores and her passenger, Felix Antonio Ruiz, 47, exited the Honda and walked into the center median, leaving the damaged Honda in the roadway.
Authorities said several additional vehicles, including a Toyota Camry and a Nissan SUV, then struck the stopped Honda while trying to avoid it.
CHP official said the Nissan left the roadway and overturned. Five people who were inside the Nissan suffered minor injuries and were transported to hospitals.
About 25 minutes after the initial crash, a Honda Pilot swerved to avoid the disabled Honda and entered the center median, where it struck Ruiz. Ruiz suffered major injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
CHP arrested Flores on suspicion of driving under the influence and booked her into the Stanislaus County Jail.
Emergency responders from CHP, fire agencies, and medical services assisted at the scene. The crashes caused significant traffic delays on Interstate 5 as investigators worked to document the incidents and clear the roadway.
The lane closure in the area later led to a deadly rear-end crash that claimed the lives of two men.
The incident remains under investigation.