A fatal crash closed parts of Highway 99 in Fresno on Wednesday night, as Caltrans crews cleared debris from all three southbound lanes.
The crash happened around 10:30 p.m. on the 99 just south of Highway 180. A car made a right turn that sent it off the roadway and down an embankment before it collided with an overhead sign pole. The force of the impact broke apart the vehicle, which was then struck by oncoming traffic.
The secondary collisions resulted in minor injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.
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The driver of the original car was found unconscious and medical personnel on scene began lifesaving efforts, before transporting him to Community Regional Medical Center, where he later died.
He was identified as 44-year-old Luis Ramos of Fresno.
The CHP said is not yet clear why the driver made the unsafe turn and the crash remains under investigation. Pending toxicology results will determine whether drugs and/or alcohol factored in the crash.
Traffic was diverted onto the 180 for the bulk of the night. The cleanup and lane repairs lasted until 1:30 a.m.