Three Killed, Seven Injured in Interstate 5 Crash Near Woodland
YOLO COUNTY - Three people were killed Monday afternoon in a chain-reaction wreck on southbound Interstate 5, the Sacramento Bee and multiple other news outlets reported. The triple fatal accident was reported just north of County Road 102 just before 12:45 p.m. on August 8, 2011. Two sport utility vehicles, a jeep, a small four-door passenger car and a tractor-trailer big-rig all went up in flames.
According to the Sacramento Bee, two adults in one of the SUVs died, as well as a child riding in the passenger car. Witnesses reportedly tried to retrieve the child rrom the car, but were pushed back by flames. Seven other people were taken to local hospitals, UC Davis Medical Center (Sacramento), Kaiser Permanente and Mercy San Juan Medical Center (Carmichael). Injuries reportedly ranged from moderate to severe.
News 10 reported that the crash began when traffic was beginning to merge into the left lane to accommodate an upcoming construction zone. A small car, reportedly possibly an Acura, was pushed into the center divider and became engulfed in flames. A Jeep Wrangler was then struck and pushed into the flames. It is unclear who two other vehicles and a larger truck became involved. The tractor-trailer ended up on its side.
Chain Reaction Crash Liability
This accident will surely be a complex and lengthy investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Multi-vehicle accidents, especially collisions involving commercial trucks, have unique liability issues. While this accident remains under investigation, the injured victims and family members of those who lost their lives would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable northern California truck accident lawyer. Attorneys who have successfully handled numerous personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from truck accidents such as this one can help the victims begin protecting their rights immediately. Damages obtained in a truck accident personal injury claim may include compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering, or the wrongful death of a loved one.
Time is Of the Essence
Following an accident, valuable evidence, such as road debris, skid marks, and wrecked and burned vehicles are often quickly destroyed. To preserve the evidence necessary to demonstrate exactly what happened, and who was responsible, accident victims and their family members are urged to speak to an attorney as soon as possible, so that evidence can be preserved, inspected and photographed. A skilled California personal injury lawyer can arrange for an independent investigator to speak with witnesses, review accident reports, and reconstruct the scene of the accident and evaluate exactly what happened.
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Four people were tragically killed early Sunday morning in a fiery head-on collision on Highway 99 west of Oroville, the CHP reported. According to news reports, Ryan Finnerty, 21, of Roseville was driving southbound in a 2006 Dodge Dakota pickup on State Route 99, near State Route 62. At the same time, around 6 a.m. Sunday, Rodrigo Ramirez, 41, of Live Oak, was driving northbound on State Route 99. For reasons still under investigation, Finnerty reportedly swerved into oncoming traffic and struck Ramirez's Ford Explorer head-on. Both vehicles were estimated to be travelling about 60 miles per hour when they collided. The impact started a fire in Finnerty's truck that spread to the Explorer when the gas tank exploded. Bystanders pulled Finnerty from his car and an 11-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man from the Explorer, all of whom suffered major injuries. When Cal Fire crews distinguished the fire, they found four bodies in the Explorer. The victims were identified as Rodrigo Ramirez, Gustavo Martinez, Gabriella Rosas and Rigoberto Martinez, all of Live Oak. 
