Mother survives California Freightliner crash, her 3 children did not

(FOX40.COM) — Three children are dead and three others are injured after a Freightliner crash over the weekend, according to the California Highway Patrol.
• Video Above: What to do if you witness a crash

Around 6 p.m. on Sept. 13, CHP responded to a crash involving two vehicles on Avenue 7 at Road 24 in Madera County. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the crash was between a Honda Odyssey and a Freightliner.

According to investigators, a 48-year-old woman from Clovis was driving a gray Odyssey, southbound on Road 24, approaching the intersection at Avenue 7. Other occupants of the Odyssey included a 60-year-old woman seated in the front passenger seat with her seatbelt on and three children in the back.

The children were ages 6, 15, and 17. Police said the six-year-old girl and the 15-year-old boy were not wearing a seatbelt. The 17-year-old girl was restrained but not wearing her seatbelt properly.

At the same time, a 38-year-old man from Delano was driving a bronze Freightliner, pulling a set of double trailers, westbound on Avenue 7 and approaching the intersection at Road 24. CHP said the driver of the Honda failed to stop for the posted stop sign and entered the intersection directly in front of the Freightliner.

As a result, the front of the Freightliner broadsided the left side of the Honda, according to CHP. The Freightliner continued out of control in a southwesterly direction, struck a power pole, and came to rest inside an irrigation ditch. The 6-year-old and the 15-year-old were ejected from the Honda. Despite life saving measures, all three children died from their injuries.

The driver of the Honda, who is the mother of the three children, was taken to a local hospital with moderate injuries. Her front passenger and the driver of the Freightliner were also transported to local hospitals with minor to moderate injuries.

Alcohol and/or drugs are not suspected to be a factor in this crash, according to CHP.

“Every trip, every child, every seat matters. Make sure every child is properly buckled and keep your full attention on the road, CHP said. “Seatbelts save lives, and attentive driving prevents tragedies before they happen.”