Manteca, CA – Late Sunday evening, August 16, 2026, a multi-vehicle collision resulted in a fatality on State Route 99, according to CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 11:27 PM on northbound State Route 99 near the State Route 120 East connector.
Authorities said a big rig collided with a white work truck, causing the pickup to go off the roadway and overturn onto its roof. Stockton Fire Department responded and worked to extricate two occupants from the vehicle. Debris was scattered across all lanes following the impact, prompting a traffic break from Austin Road.
A second big rig then struck debris in the roadway, damaging its fuel tank and causing a leak of diesel fuel estimated at approximately 20 gallons out of a 100-gallon tank. Stockton Fire Department responded to address the fuel leak. The big rig, hauling a refrigerated trailer loaded with approximately 38,000 pounds of frozen food, blocked the roadway following the incident.
Caltrans was contacted to assist with lane closures, with the number four lane closed just north of the State Route 120 East to northbound State Route 99 connector. Tows were requested for the vehicles involved, including an evidence tow. Both vehicles were transported to a tow yard following the conclusion of on-scene proceedings. A passenger’s father was notified of the incident. The closure was picked up at approximately 4:12 AM.
No additional details regarding the identity of the deceased had been released at the time of reporting. The investigation remains ongoing.
Stanislaus County Truck Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
California law follows the principle of comparative negligence. This means that even if a driver is found partially at fault for an accident, their surviving family members may still pursue compensation if the negligence of another party, such as another driver involved in the chain of events, contributed to the crash. Investigators with California law enforcement examine the actions of each driver involved to determine what role each may have played.
Regardless of the findings, the family of the deceased may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim can provide the family with compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of consortium, and other damages related to the fatal accident.
