A 72-year-old man died following a head-on collision in rural Fresno County southeast of Fresno on Wednesday.
He was identified Thursday by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office as Jesse Hernandez of Fowler.
The crash happened at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Central and DeWolf avenues.
The California Highway Patrol said a Ford F-250 was traveling east on Central, approaching DeWolf, and slowing to make a left turn onto northbound DeWolf.
A Toyota Camry was traveling west on Central and approaching the same intersection when the Ford’s driver started the turn in front of the oncoming Toyota, failing to yield the right-of-way, CHP said.
The Toyota driver applied the brakes but could not avoid a crash, striking the Ford’s right front, CHP said.
The driver and passenger of the Ford were both wearing seatbelts and were not injured, CHP said.
The Toyota driver, who was also wearing a seatbelt, sustained major injuries. He attempted to flee on foot but collapsed a short distance away in a nearby orchard due to his significant injuries, CHP said.
Hernandez, the right front passenger in the Toyota, was not wearing a seatbelt and sustained critical injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene, CHP said.
The investigation is ongoing.
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Anthony Galaviz writes about sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He’s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology.
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