Fatal Truck Crash Near Fresno Kills 19-Year-Old Driver

Fatal Semi-Truck Crash Near Fresno Claims Life of 19-Year-Old Kingsburg Resident

Overview

A tragic two-vehicle collision west of Fresno claimed the life of a 19-year-old driver on Monday evening, December 22, 2025. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Manning Avenue near South Riverside Avenue when an eastbound Freightliner Cascadia semi-truck veered into the westbound lane and sideswiped a westbound Chevrolet Silverado. The impact forced the pickup off the roadway, where it overturned multiple times and came to rest on its roof. The driver of the Chevrolet, identified by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office as Mattix S., a 19-year-old from Kingsburg, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Freightliner was not injured and remained at the site, cooperating with investigators. Authorities reported that drugs and alcohol did not appear to be factors, and the cause of the collision remains under investigation.

This devastating incident highlights the disproportionate risks passenger vehicle occupants face when crashes involve large commercial trucks. Below, we summarize what is known and offer practical information about investigations, evidence, insurance issues, and legal options that may be relevant to families navigating the aftermath of a fatal truck collision in California.

What We Know About the Collision

- Location and time: Manning Avenue near South Riverside Avenue, west of Fresno; approximately 6:30 p.m.
- Vehicles involved: An eastbound Freightliner Cascadia semi-truck and a westbound Chevrolet Silverado.
- Preliminary sequence: The semi-truck reportedly drifted into the westbound lane and sideswiped the pickup, which left the roadway and rolled multiple times before stopping on its roof.
- Casualties: The Silverado’s driver, 19-year-old Mattix S. of Kingsburg, died at the scene. The truck driver was uninjured and cooperated with law enforcement.
- Early findings: Initial reports indicate alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors; CHP’s investigation is ongoing.

Nighttime conditions, rural road geometry, and the presence of heavy trucks can complicate crash dynamics on corridors like Manning Avenue. While it is premature to determine cause until investigators review vehicle data, scene evidence, and witness statements, these roads often feature two lanes with limited lighting and high-speed traffic in opposing directions, conditions that can amplify the consequences of even brief lane departures.

Truck Crash Trends and Risk Factors

Large commercial vehicles play a vital role in the economy, yet their mass and braking distances significantly elevate crash severity for people in smaller vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 5,375 fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred in 2023, representing an 8.4 percent decrease from the prior year. Despite that short-term dip, fatal truck crashes have risen 43 percent over the past decade, reflecting a long-term upward trend.

Truck-versus-passenger-vehicle crashes often raise complex legal questions about lane departures, vehicle operation, roadway conditions, and compliance with commercial safety standards. As CHP continues investigating the Manning Avenue collision, families may need clarity regarding wrongful death and survival actions under California law.

Avian Law Group has extensive experience handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving semi-trucks throughout Fresno County and the Central Valley. If your family has been affected by a crash like this, our attorneys can help evaluate liability, review the investigation, and pursue full and fair compensation. Contact us for a no-obligation case evaluation.