Passenger dies in minivan head-on crash near Exeter

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A passenger died after two minivans collided head-on outside of Exeter Sunday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol announced.

Just before 3 p.m., officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision near Penlan Avenue and Spruce Road near Exeter.

Upon investigating, CHP reports a silver Honda Odyssey was headed north on Spruce Road, just north of Penlan Avenue, when the driver drifted into opposing traffic. As a result, the Honda collided head-on with an oncoming gold Chrysler Pacifica.

Officers say the Honda remained in the roadway as the Chrysler came to a stop in a nearby orange orchard. The driver of the Honda was pinned in and eventually extricated, having sustained moderate injuries.

CHP reports the right front passenger of the Chrysler was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators do not suspect drugs or alcohol to be a factor in this collision; however, they are looking into whether the driver of the Honda was distracted by her phone at the time of the crash.

The identity of the victim has not been released, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.