61-year-old woman dies in Madera County head-on crash, CHP says

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A 61-year-old woman died Thursday morning following a crash with a Ford F-350 near Hensley Lake in Madera County, the California Highway Patrol said.

On Oct. 16, officers responded to a crash involving two Fords on Road 400 at River Road.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the woman from Madera was driving a gray 2023 Ford Explorer, going northbound on Road 400, approaching River Road. A 40-year-old man was seated in the passenger seat.

Meanwhile, CHP said a 75-year-old man driving a white 1994 Ford F-350 was going southbound on Road 400, approaching River Road.

For reasons still under investigation, CHP said the woman veered into the southbound lane, directly into the path of the 75-year-old man, which then caused both vehicles to collide head-on.

Due to the impact of the crash, CHP said the jaws of life were used to get both drivers out of their vehicles.

Despite life-saving measures, the woman died due to her injuries. Her passenger and the 75-year-old man who was driving the Ford F-350 were transported to Community Regional Medical Center with minor to moderate injuries.

This is an ongoing investigation.