Los Banos, CA – In the early hours of Sunday, May 11, 2025, a multi-vehicle collision resulted in a fatality near the intersection of State Route 165 near Santa Fe Grade, according to CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that the crash occurred at approximately 3:32 AM and involved at least three vehicles. One of the vehicles, a red sedan, overturned and came to rest in a canal, where occupants were reportedly trapped inside.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies, including the California Department of Forestry and local fire departments, arrived on the scene and initiated rescue operations. Despite their efforts, one person was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the deceased has not been publicly released pending family notification.
The crash site was littered with debris, and authorities reported extensive damage to the involved vehicles. A hard road closure was implemented for both southbound traffic at Highway 140 and northbound traffic at Henry Miller Road to allow for emergency operations..
Investigators noted that the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities also discovered a missing manhole cover in the roadway and requested Caltrans to respond and secure the hazard. All lanes were reopened by approximately 5:37 AM after the scene was cleared.
The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the incident and encourages anyone who may have witnessed the collision or its aftermath to come forward with information.
Wrongful Death Claims & Comparative Negligence
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s Comparative Negligence rule, several parties can share partial responsibility. Should someone else be found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support the family of the deceased.
