French Camp, CA – In the early hours of Friday, January 9, 2026, a fatal traffic collision was reported on Interstate 5 southbound at the Roth Road off-ramp, according to information from CHP Fatal.
California Highway Patrol logs indicate the incident was first reported at approximately 4:28 AM. Initial reports described two vehicles stopped on the right-hand shoulder of the roadway. There were no immediate indications of a traffic hazard at the time of the first call.
Shortly afterward, a reporting party advised that individuals may have been changing a tire when they were struck. The reporting party told dispatchers they did not witness the collision itself, and that information was documented by responding officers as part of the preliminary investigation.
CHP later upgraded the call from a traffic collision with unknown injuries to a collision involving a pedestrian, prompting an emergency response. Officers arriving on scene located a male on the right-hand shoulder who had sustained fatal injuries.
One vehicle, described as a white sedan, was found with collision damage. Another vehicle was located off the roadway in a ditch, with reports indicating a flat tire prior to leaving the shoulder area. CHP documented the scene and secured the area to preserve evidence.
Tow trucks were requested for both involved vehicles, and Caltrans was notified to assist with roadway safety and traffic management. Despite the investigation and recovery operations, traffic on southbound Interstate 5 was reported to be moving, though at reduced speeds.
The identity of the deceased has not been released, pending notification of next of kin. The circumstances leading up to the collision remain under investigation, and CHP has not released information regarding potential contributing factors.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Wrongful Death Claims
Drivers have a Duty of Care towards pedestrians, which includes being vigilant for those travelling by foot and, if a collision occurs, staying with the victim, alerting emergency responders, and cooperating with authorities investigating the crash.
For those who lose a loved one in a pedestrian accident, filing a Wrongful Death claim with the assistance of an experienced attorney can provide compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, and other related damages.
Should the at-fault driver evade authorities, compensation might still be available through a family member’s uninsured driver coverage. Consulting with a personal injury attorney can help determine the best options in such cases.
