Fresno, CA – According to The Fresno Bee, a 61-year-old woman lost her life in a two-vehicle crash Friday afternoon, September 6, 2024, on Highway 180, just west of Fresno. The victim, identified as Gretchen Scotia of Fresno, was involved in a fatal collision with a big rig hauling pistachios.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the accident occurred around 1:20 PM at the intersection of Highway 180 (Whitesbridge Avenue) and Hayes Avenue, an area surrounded by farmland.
Scotia had been driving her Toyota Camry northbound on Hayes Avenue and stopped at the intersection. However, as she pulled out onto the highway, she drove directly into the path of the eastbound Peterbilt truck.
The truck driver was unable to avoid the collision and struck the driver’s side of Scotia’s vehicle. The impact caused both vehicles to veer off the road, spilling the pistachio load onto the north shoulder of the highway. Emergency responders pronounced Scotia dead at the scene.
The driver of the Peterbilt was uninjured and stayed at the scene to cooperate with authorities. According to the CHP, no drugs or alcohol are suspected to have played a role in the crash, and no charges have been filed against the truck driver.
Wrongful Death Claims
Whether or not a collision results in criminal charges for any of those involved, families who have lost a loved one in a fatal collision may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver.
The compensation provided by a Wrongful Death claim can relieve the financial burdens created by medical expenses, burial costs, and the loss of income needed to support the deceased’s dependents.
Insurance companies will work to reduce any claim they cannot deny. This is where the help of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney proves invaluable, negotiating on behalf of victims and their families to ensure they receive proper compensation.
