Ceres man killed, child seriously injured in multi-car collision on SR-132, CHP says

A multi-car collision Saturday on SR-132 left one person dead and four others injured, including a child, according to a press release from the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported at 12:57 p.m. Emergency personnel responded to the scene near Vernalis and found five vehicles involved in the collision, the CHP release said.

A 26-year-old man from Ceres, who was driving a Honda sedan, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the CHP. An 11-month-old child, who was a passenger in a 2021 Toyota sedan, was airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center with major injuries. The little girl was in a child safety seat, but it was facing forward, CHP spokesman Officer Tom Olsen told The Bee. Child seats need to be rear facing until the child is at least 2 years old, he said.

Four additional people sustained injuries in the crash.

A preliminary investigation showed that the 26-year-old man was driving a 2001 Honda sedan eastbound on SR-132, east of River Road, according to the release.

Hector Garcia was driving a 2012 Honda SUV west on SR-132, with Lizandro Castillo following behind in a 2021 Toyota sedan. Behind Castillo, Esther Yahaira was driving a 2004 Chevrolet van, and Abel Velasquez was driving a 2011 Honda sedan farther behind.

According to CHP, the 26-year-old driver turned left, partially crossing the double yellow lines. His Honda sedan sideswiped Garcia’s SUV before continuing into the westbound lane, where it collided head-on with Castillo’s Toyota sedan.

Yahaira braked to avoid the crash, but the Honda sedan struck the rear of her Chevrolet van.

SR-132 was closed between River Road and Gates Road, with Caltrans redirecting traffic through the area. The highway reopened around 3:10 p.m.

It was unknown whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision, according to the release. All individuals involved were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.