One man was tragically killed and another victim was hospitalized in a head-on collision in Madera Tuesday morning. Madera Police were called to the scene east of downtown around 6:30 a.m. on January 18, 2022.
KFSN-TV reports the accident occurred along Yosemite Avenue near the intersection of Vineyard Avenue. Investigators say a silver GMC minivan and a white GMC Sierra pickup collided head-on.
A man inside the minivan was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released. The driver of the pickup truck was rushed to a local hospital. His condition has not been updated.
Officers blocked off the stretch of Yosemite Avenue as they worked to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Head-On Collision Dangers in Madera
Motorists in Madera know how busy the streets of even a small city can get. They also know how often drivers can lose focus on the roadway in front of them and start to veer out of their lanes.
This is especially dangerous while traveling on four lane roads that bring vehicles traveling in opposite directions very close to each other. One slight deviation into another lane can surprise an opposing driver and leave little time or space to avoid a powerful head-on collision.
These collisions are the most devastating types of impacts possible on a roadway. They carry so much force because the speeds of both vehicles are factored into the accident.
The heartbreaking effects of these dangerous collisions are felt across Madera County each year. The Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) for California found that in 2020 there were 641 traffic accidents reported for the county. Those collisions led to 908 injuries and claimed a tragic 30 lives.
Of those Madera County accidents, 36 were reported as involving a head-on collision. Those accidents resulted in four fatalities and left an astounding 57 people injured.
Motorists should be constantly reminded of the dangers of looking at a cellphone, or glancing at a radio, or taking their eyes off the road for any reason. When traveling with oncoming traffic so near, it’s a lifesaving choice to pay full attention to the road at all times.
A word about the benefits available for accident victims and their families…
After a devastating collision in Madera, it’s important that victims and their family members are aware of the rights they have and the insurance benefits available to them.
You can read more about these cases on my page about car accident injury and wrongful death claims in Madera County.
