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Fatal Crash September 27, 2024 Highway 152, Los Banos, Merced County, California

Two Lives Lost in Head-On Collision Near Los Banos

A wrong-way driver in a Ford F-150 traveled an estimated five to six miles eastbound in the westbound lanes of Highway 152 near Los Banos before sideswiping one vehicle and colliding head-on with a full-size SUV on Friday, September 27, 2024. Both drivers were killed and both vehicles caught fire after impact, according to CHP Los Banos.

Incident Summary

Type
Wrong-way driver, head-on collision with post-crash fire
Location
Highway 152 near Los Banos, Merced County, California
Date
Friday, September 27, 2024
Wrong-Way Driver
64-year-old man in a Ford F-150, driving eastbound in westbound lanes
Distance
Traveled approximately 5-6 miles the wrong way before collision
First Impact
Sideswiped one vehicle (occupants not reported injured)
Fatal Impact
Head-on collision with a full-size SUV; both drivers killed at scene
Post-Crash Fire
Both vehicles caught fire after impact
SUV Driver
Resource specialist at Bud Rank Elementary School, Clovis Unified
Investigation
CHP Los Banos; cause of wrong-way driving under investigation

Crash Area

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What Happened on Highway 152 Near Los Banos

On Friday, September 27, 2024, a 64-year-old man driving a Ford F-150 entered the westbound lanes of Highway 152 near Los Banos heading eastbound, directly into oncoming traffic. According to CHP Los Banos, the wrong-way driver traveled an estimated five to six miles against the flow of traffic before the first collision occurred.

The Ford F-150 first sideswiped another vehicle traveling westbound. Moments later, the truck collided head-on with a full-size SUV. The force of the impact was catastrophic. Both the Ford F-150 and the SUV caught fire immediately after the collision, and both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the SUV was later identified as a resource specialist at Bud Rank Elementary School in Clovis, an employee of the Clovis Unified School District. The school community mourned the sudden loss of a staff member known for supporting students and families. The identity of the wrong-way driver had not been publicly released at the time of initial reporting.

CHP Los Banos launched an investigation into the crash, with a primary focus on determining why the 64-year-old driver entered the highway traveling the wrong direction and maintained that course for several miles before the fatal collision. Whether impairment, a medical episode, confusion, or another factor played a role remained under investigation.

Legal Options for Families Affected by This Crash

Wrongful Death Claims Against a Wrong-Way Driver’s Estate

When a wrong-way driver causes a fatal collision, the surviving family of the innocent victim may pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver’s estate or insurance policy. In California, eligible claimants include spouses, domestic partners, children, and others who depended on the deceased for financial or emotional support.

Third-Party Liability Beyond the At-Fault Driver

Wrong-way crashes sometimes involve third-party liability. If the driver was impaired, a bar or restaurant that over-served alcohol could face a dram shop claim. If confusing signage, missing barriers, or inadequate lighting contributed to the wrong-way entry, the government agency responsible for road design and maintenance may share responsibility.

Post-Crash Fire and Vehicle Design Questions

When vehicles catch fire after a collision, it raises questions about whether the occupants survived the initial impact but were killed by the fire. If a vehicle’s fuel system or fire-suppression design failed to meet safety standards, a product liability claim against the manufacturer may be viable alongside the negligence claim against the at-fault driver.

Claims for the Sideswiped Vehicle’s Occupants

The driver or passengers of the vehicle that was sideswiped before the fatal head-on collision may also have claims for property damage, injuries, and emotional distress. Even if physical injuries appear minor, the trauma of narrowly avoiding a fatal wrong-way crash can cause lasting psychological harm. A car accident attorney can evaluate these claims.

Wrong-Way Crashes and Highway 152 Safety

~360
People are killed each year in wrong-way crashes on U.S. highways, accounting for a disproportionate share of head-on fatalities on divided roadways.
NTSB Wrong-Way Driving Special Investigation Report
5-6 Miles
The distance the Ford F-150 reportedly traveled the wrong way on Highway 152 before the fatal head-on collision, an unusually long wrong-way stretch that raises questions about detection and intervention.
CHP Los Banos reporting on September 27, 2024 crash
Highway 152
Known as one of the most dangerous highways in California’s Central Valley, Highway 152 between Los Banos and Gilroy has a long history of fatal head-on and crossover collisions due to its two-lane stretches, heavy truck traffic, and limited passing zones.
Caltrans highway safety data and local reporting
2 Post-Crash Fires
Both the Ford F-150 and the full-size SUV caught fire after the head-on collision, an outcome that complicates evidence recovery and raises questions about survivability and vehicle fire safety.
Public reporting on the September 27, 2024 Highway 152 crash

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is liable when a wrong-way driver causes a fatal head-on collision?
A wrong-way driver who enters oncoming traffic and causes a fatal collision is generally considered negligent. The driver’s estate can be held liable in a wrongful death claim by the other victim’s surviving family. Depending on the circumstances, additional parties such as an establishment that over-served alcohol or a government entity responsible for road signage may also bear liability.
Can the families of both drivers pursue wrongful death claims after a wrong-way crash?
The family of the innocent driver struck by the wrong-way vehicle typically has a strong wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver’s estate or insurer. The at-fault driver’s family may have claims if a third party, such as a bar or road authority, contributed to the wrong-way driving. Each case depends on the specific facts and investigation findings.
What happens legally when vehicles catch fire after a fatal collision?
Post-crash fires can complicate investigations by destroying physical evidence and may raise additional legal questions about vehicle design and fuel-system integrity. In some cases, vehicle manufacturers may share liability if a design defect contributed to the fire or worsened the outcome. Fire-related fatalities also affect how damages are evaluated in wrongful death cases.
How does the CHP investigate a wrong-way fatal crash?
CHP investigators typically document the scene, measure skid marks and debris fields, review surveillance or dashcam footage, interview witnesses, and order toxicology tests. They also examine whether the driver had a medical episode and evaluate road signage and lighting. The final investigation report can take weeks or months to complete.

Related Resources

Practice Area
Wrongful Death Lawyer
Guidance for families seeking answers and compensation after a fatal California crash.
Practice Area
Car Accident Lawyer
Support for injured drivers and passengers dealing with serious collision claims.
Practice Area
Truck Accident Lawyer
Legal help when crashes involve full-size trucks like the Ford F-150 involved in this wrong-way collision.
Get Help
Contact Scranton Law Firm
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Wrong-way crashes destroy lives in an instant. Families deserve answers.

If your family lost a loved one or was injured in a wrong-way collision on Highway 152 or anywhere in California, Scranton Law Firm can help investigate the evidence, identify all responsible parties, and fight for the compensation your family needs.

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