Two Dead Following Six-Vehicle Accident In the Chico Area
According to California Highway Patrol (CHP), two people passed away as the result of a six-vehicle accident that occurred near Chico on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. The collision occurred on Highway 99 and involved five-passenger vehicles as well as a big-rig. In addition to the two decedents, five other people suffered injuries requiring hospital care. The Butte County Coroner’s Office has identified the two parties who passed away in the Chico multi-vehicle collision as 55-year-old David Sims and 55-year-old Lupe Ortiz, both residents of Los Molinos, CA.
Crash Information
The deadly crash occurred on the northbound side of Highway 99 at the Neal Road intersection. CHP reports indicated that a driver of a big rig, a 22-year-old Sacramento man, failed to slow down when approaching stopped traffic at the intersection and slammed into the rear of a Honda Accord, causing fatal injuries to both the driver and passenger. The Honda was propelled into another vehicle and ultimately impacted a total of six cars. CHP Officer Eric Walker that the cause of the crash remains unknown and investigators are still working to determine why the truck driver failed to slow at the intersection.
Accident Response
The crashed semi reportedly caught fire as a result of the accident and spread flames to a nearby patch of grass, eventually spreading into a brush fire about 20 yards wide. The fire was quickly extinguished by a team from Cal Fire utilizing three water tankers and seven fire engines.
The aftermath of the accident reportedly included a downed stoplight pole. Additionally, three of the involved passenger vehicles reportedly received major damages. Two of these vehicles came to a rest within the intersection, with the third stopping near the median of the highway. A pickup truck that came to a rest facing Neal Road reportedly had damage to its rear bumper while the fifth vehicle, a minivan, ended up parked on the highway shoulder off of the northbound side.
Police did not indicate which occupants of which vehicles were injured or killed during the accident.
Investigation
The highway was shut down in both directions in the area of the accident while response and investigations took place. According to reports, a Major Accident Investigation Team was called in from Sacramento in order to gather additional details about the incident.
After a fatal crash, police are usually unable to question decedents about what happened, meaning that decedents never have a chance to tell their version of events. Because of this, it’s important to have a trusted attorney privately investigate the collision in order to make sure that all at-fault parties are held accountable.
Trucking Accidents and Quick Action
The companies that own and operate fleets of commercial trucks are almost always ready to respond immediately in the event of a crash. In most cases, the company will dispatch a legal response team to the site in order to gather their own information, evidence, and statements from witnesses. By doing so, these companies hope to avoid financial liability for the accident.
To make sure that trucking companies and other negligent parties are held responsible for the damages they’ve caused, it’s very important to call a Chico wrongful death lawyer as soon as you are able to. For information about finding trustworthy legal counsel, watch this short video:
Read more from Chico Wrongful Death Attorney, Ed A. Smith
- Collision Near Red Bluff Kills Chico Resident
- What is a Chico Wrongful Death Lawyer?
- Woman from Chico Dies in Cycling Crash
Chico Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Chico wrongful death attorney. Losing a loved one is a tragedy. For free, friendly wrongful death case advice, you can contact me at (800) 404-5400 or (707) 564-1900.
I have worked with families in Chico and surrounding areas for over 38 years and have a long history of successful settlements and verdicts. If you would like to read feedback written personally by my past clients, visit my profiles on:
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