CHP reports that a man died on Nov. 17 after failing to stop behind a freightliner at Road 80 and Avenue 384
TULARE COUNTY – While the backroads of Tulare County can be dark and dreary at night, that doesn’t mean you can let your guard down. Just last week an unidentified Dinuba man crashed into the back of a semi killing him at the scene.
According to a California Highway Patrol (CHP) collision report, last Wednesday night at approximately 10:37 p.m., officers from the Visalia area office responded to a call of a vehicle versus big rig on Road 80 and Avenue 384.
Upon CHP arrival, it was determined to be a vehicle versus big rig resulting in one fatality. The preliminary investigation revealed a 2012 Freightliner was being driven northbound on Road 80 and stopped in the No.2 lane for the red traffic signal, at the intersection of Avenue 384. A 2012 Toyota was traveling northbound on Road 80, at an unknown speed in the No. 2 lane, approaching the rear of the Freightliner.
For an undetermined reason, the driver of the Toyota failed to slow or stop his vehicle and the left front of the Toyota struck the right rear of the Freightliners trailer. As a result of the crash, the driver of the Toyota sustained fatal injuries. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.
CHP Collision Reports
Tuesday, Nov. 16
At approximately 5:48 a.m., officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Porterville Area Office responded to a call of a traffic collision on State Route 65 south of Avenue 12, with medical personnel responding. During the initial investigation it was determined, Socorro Castanon, 61, from Bakersfield, was driving her 2006 Ford northbound on State Route 65, south of Avenue 12, at an unknown speed. Manuel Ceballos was driving his 2014 Freightliner southbound on State Route 65, south of Avenue 12, at approximately 45 to 50 miles per hour. Castanon missed her turn for Avenue 2 and began to make a U-turn, directly in the path of Ceballos. Ceballos observed Castanon’s vehicle as an immediate hazard and applied his brakes. The front of the Freightliner struck the right side of the Ford. Both vehicles traveled off the east shoulder and came to rest. Castanon’s passenger succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Castanon was transported to Kern Regional Center for treatment of her injuries. Castanon’s passenger was not identified at the scene. Alcohol and/or drugs were not a factor in this crash.
