[11-15-2022] Merced County, CA – Multi-Vehicle Collision Kills 52-Year-Old Woman near Atwater

A female driver was killed following a multi-vehicle collision near Atwater on Tuesday late afternoon, November 15, 2022.

According to Officer Eric Zuniga of the California Highway Patrol, the crash, which involved three vehicles, occurred at 5:17 p.m. at the Santa Fe Drive and Avenue Two intersection.

The CHP said that a 2015 Nissan Sedan, driven by a 52-year-old woman from Winton east on Avenue Two, was approaching a stop sign at Santa Fe Drive.

The woman reportedly attempted to turn left onto Santa Fe in front of a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser driven by Merced resident Antonio R., 39, who was going south on the Drive.

The Toyota ended up slamming into the Nissan’s front. The impact sent the Nissan southeast, where it struck a 2018 BMW driven by Rayanne J., 26, of Atwater., who was waiting to turn onto Avenue Two in Santa Fe’s left turn lane.

The Nissan’s driver was declared dead at the scene. The other two drivers in the crash did not report any injuries and cooperated with the authorities.

Zuniga claimed that there is no indication that either alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash, which is still under investigation.

Fatal Multi-Vehicle Accident Statistics

Vehicle collisions are the most significant cause of death and serious injury among people in the United States. Every year, these accidents are responsible for the deaths of about 200,000 people and the severe injuries of millions more.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a car collision takes place once every minute. In 2016, there were more than 3,300 fatal car accidents in California.

According to the National Safety Council, car accidents cause mortality in one of every ten people in the country each year. In 2019, 3,898 fatalities and more than 2,765,000 injuries were attributed to such accidents in California. Since 2013, there has been a 23.5% increase in people injured or killed in car accidents in the state.

When three or more vehicles are involved in a collision, it is referred to as a multi-vehicle accident. After a collision, there is a possibility that as many as six vehicles will become entangled in the wreckage.

According to the numbers made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2010, more than 13,000 persons lost their lives due to crashes involving several vehicles.

Car Accident Lawyers in Merced County

If you or a loved one has been harmed or killed in a car accident, regardless of who you believe is guilty, you should seek the advice of a lawyer as soon as possible.

Your lawyer will be able to clear up any questions or concerns you may have regarding the procedures involved in the legal system. They will take care of everything necessary to obtain insurance, including ensuring your paperwork is accurate.

It is possible that you will be able to negotiate a settlement with your insurer that is more beneficial if you have legal assistance.

Our team of seasoned car attorneys in Merced County is here to assist you if you have been involved in an accident. Up to this point, our clients have been awarded compensation of $500 million.

Contact (888) 488-1391 or click the “Do I Have a Case?” on our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.