Big Rig Crash in Coalinga: One Dead, Investigation Ongoing

Fatal Big Rig Crash at SR-145 and Ford Avenue in Coalinga: One Person Killed, Investigation Underway

What Happened

On Monday night, December 29, 2025, a multi-vehicle collision involving a big rig and two passenger vehicles occurred at the intersection of State Route 145 and Ford Avenue in Coalinga, California. According to preliminary reports from the California Highway Patrol, the crash was reported around 7:23 p.m. The big rig caught fire after the impact, but responding fire crews were able to control the blaze shortly thereafter. Tragically, one individual was pronounced dead at the scene. It is not yet known whether others involved sustained injuries. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

As the investigation proceeds, officials will work to determine what led to the collision, including whether any driver error, mechanical issues, roadway conditions, or other factors contributed. This remains an active and developing situation, and additional details will be released by law enforcement as they become available.

Why Intersections Like SR-145 and Ford Avenue Can Be High-Risk

Intersections along state routes in rural areas of Fresno County often see a mix of local traffic, agricultural vehicles, and large commercial trucks traveling at higher speeds. While the specifics of this crash are still being reviewed, in general, rural intersections can pose visibility challenges after dark, and the combination of highway speeds and cross-traffic movement can increase the severity of collisions when they occur. Heavy commercial vehicles, due to their size and weight, create significant kinetic energy in crashes, which can lead to catastrophic damage, fires, and severe injuries or fatalities.

Common Contributing Factors in Truck and Intersection Crashes

Although it is too early to draw conclusions about this crash, investigators typically examine factors such as:
- Driver attentiveness and potential distraction or fatigue
- Compliance with traffic signals or stop controls
- Speed relative to posted limits and conditions
- Right-of-way and potential failures to yield
- Visibility and lighting at or near the intersection
- Weather and road surface conditions
- Mechanical integrity of vehicles, including brakes, tires, and lighting
- Cargo loading, securement, and potential load shifts
- Possible impairment by alcohol, drugs, or medications
- For vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, whether any features were engaged

In commercial trucking incidents, investigators also review compliance with federal and state safety regulations, including hours-of-service limits, pre-trip inspections, and maintenance requirements.

Evidence That Often Proves Critical

In serious truck collisions, rapid evidence preservation can make a decisive difference. Key sources of information may include:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) data and hours-of-service records
- Engine control module (ECM) or event data recorder downloads
- Dash camera and surveillance video from surrounding businesses or traffic cameras
- Dispatch communications, bills of lading, and trip manifests
- Vehicle inspection, repair, and maintenance logs
- Physical evidence from the scene, including skid marks, vehicle resting positions, and debris fields
- Post-crash vehicle inspections to document mechanical conditions and damage
- Cell phone records, where relevant and lawfully obtainable
- Witness statements and first responder reports

Prompt action to send preservation (spoliation) letters and request time-sensitive data can prevent crucial evidence from being lost or overwritten.

Understanding Liability in a Fatal Truck Collision

California law allows grieving families to seek accountability when a loved one is wrongfully killed due to another’s negligence. Depending on the facts, potentially responsible parties could include:
- The truck driver, for negligent operation
- The trucking company, under employer liability and for negligent hiring, training, or supervision
- Maintenance contractors or repair facilities, if mechanical failures or improper repairs played a role
- Vehicle or component manufacturers, if a defect contributed
- Cargo loaders or shippers, if improper loading or securement affected vehicle stability
- Other motorists, if their actions initiated or worsened the chain of events
- In limited circumstances, public entities, if a dangerous condition of public property is implicated

This fatal big-rig collision at SR-145 and Ford Avenue remains under investigation. As authorities work to determine what happened, Avian Law Group is here to help families understand their rights and pursue justice after a wrongful death. Contact us for a confidential consultation.