Devastating Head-On Collision Claims Woman’s Life on Ellis Street in Madera County

A devastating head-on collision in Madera County claimed a woman’s life early Monday morning. The California Highway Patrol responded to the scene just north of the Madera city limits in Madera Acres.

ABC30-TV reported the accident happened along Ellis Street near the intersection of Fairview Street at around 4 a.m. on July 10, 2023.

Investigators say a man in a black Chevy pickup truck was traveling eastbound but for some reason was in the westbound lanes as a Chevy Malibu car approached. The two vehicles collided head-on doing massive damage to both.

Officials on the scene confirmed that the woman driving the Malibu did not survive her injuries. Tragically, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup was transported by helicopter to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. His condition has not been updated.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating to see if alcohol or drugs played a role in what happened. They are awaiting a blood test to make a final determination.

Maison Law of Madera posted about this heartbreaking accident and included information on how families can hold an at-fault driver responsible after a tragedy.

Hazards on Rural Madera Acres Roads

Traveling at night around Madera Acres can make it hard to judge the intention of other drivers. That’s especially true if a motorist is behind the wheel while impaired by drugs or alcohol. A driver under the influence may veer into the wrong lane but judging that from headlights up ahead can be difficult until vehicles have gotten closer. By that time it may be too late to steer clear of a collision.

Sadly, this frightening situation plays out in Madera County far too often. California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) tracked 120 alcohol-related accidents in Madera involving an injury in 2022. Those accidents lead to at least 18 tragic deaths.

In fact, drunk driving accidents are one of the most preventable car accidents. There are usually several levels of protection that fail when an accident involving alcohol occurs. The business or individual that provides the alcohol must be responsible for not overserving people who are drunk and must never allow them to put keys into an ignition.

Family and friends around the potential DUI driver must also act to keep an intoxicated person off the roads. Then, there’s the responsibility the driver has to show care to others. Drivers who are planning on drinking must have an alternate means of transportation to get home and have it scheduled before they get too drunk to make a smart decision.

What To Do After a Tragic Car Accident in Madera County

Families who have lost a precious loved one in an accident caused by a reckless driver are encouraged to stay informed of every benefit available to them. These benefits will be important when funeral costs and emergency response fees come due.

A Madera Car Accident Lawyer will go over these options in a free consultation. In cases involving a drunk driver, families don’t have to wait on the completion of a criminal trial to file a civil claim. The two cases are separate and families may earn wrongful death support before criminal proceedings have wrapped up.