2 injured, 1 killed in Sunday morning crash in Fresno County

NAVELENCIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A two-vehicle head-on collision Sunday morning left one man dead, and two others injured, the California Highway Patrol said. 

Around 8:30a.m., the CHP said its dispatch center was notified of the crash on American Avenue, near Navelencia Avenue.

Officers arrived to find a 2016 Acura TLX and a 2022 Ram Thor camper van with massive front-end damage and their airbags deployed.

They say their initial assessment of the scene indicated that a 28-year-old Reedley man was driving the Acura in a westbound direction on American Avenue. At the same time, a 62-year-old man from Manhattan Beach, California was driving eastbound on American Avenue.

Investigators say despite the van’s driver’s attempt to brake, the front of the Acura collided head-on when it crossed over into the opposing lanes without attempting to stop.

As a result, the sedan spun clockwise and came to rest on the dirt shoulder of the road, while the camper van came to rest in the eastbound lanes of American Avenue.

CHP says the driver of the Acura died at the scene, while the driver of the Ram received moderate injuries. 

Additionally, a 62-year-old female passenger in the camper van was asleep in a bed in the back of the vehicle and was injured when she was thrown forward within the van. Officers say she was not seat-belted at the time, and her injuries required her to be transported to an area hospital via Life Flight.

The two drivers, according to investigators, were both properly restrained, and neither drugs nor alcohol are considered factors in this collision. 

The CHP is continuing to investigate this incident and asks if anyone has information on this crash to call 559-705-2200.