Exeter, CA – On the afternoon of Friday, September 18, 2026, a collision with a big rig resulted in the death of an 85-year-old man, according to ABC30, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 2:30 PM on Highway 65 near Marinette Avenue, just north of Exeter.
Authorities said the man's SUV had stopped at a stop sign but, for reasons still under investigation, rolled into the intersection and was struck by the big rig. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the big rig was not injured.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Tulare County Truck Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
California law follows the principle of comparative negligence. This means that even if the man's vehicle is found to have rolled into the intersection through no fault of the truck driver, his surviving family members may still pursue compensation if a vehicle defect, such as a parking brake or transmission failure, or some other outside factor contributed to the crash. Investigators with California law enforcement examine the SUV's mechanical condition and the roadway's grade at the intersection to determine what caused the vehicle to roll forward.
Because the SUV reportedly rolled into the intersection on its own rather than being driven into the truck's path, an inspection of the vehicle's brakes and transmission could be central to determining whether a mechanical failure, rather than driver error, caused the crash. The man's family may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim, which can provide compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of consortium, and other damages related to the fatal accident.
For more information on wrongful death claims, visit MaisonLaw.com.
