An 18-year-old driver is accused of causing a deadly collision in Fresno County on Thursday after allegedly failing to stop at a stop sign, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash occurred around 1 p.m. at the intersection of Auberry Road and Old Millerton Road, near Millerton Lake. The driver of a Toyota, an 18-year-old from Clovis, was traveling at a high rate of speed when she allegedly ran through the stop sign and collided with a Nissan.
The Nissan was carrying three passengers, including an 88-year-old woman identified as Yvonne Cheney of Auberry, who died at the scene. The Toyota had three passengers, including 94-year-old Nellie Moreno of San Joaquin, who was rushed to a hospital and later died from her injuries. The force of the impact sent both vehicles careening into a nearby embankment.
The 88-year-old driver of the Nissan and two other passengers sustained moderate to major injuries and were hospitalized. The 18-year-old driver of the Toyota also suffered major injuries and is hospitalized. Her two younger siblings and grandmother were passengers in her vehicle; the children were treated at the scene and released.
Footage of the vehicles showed significant damage. The Toyota's front end was decimated, while the Nissan sustained heavy damage to its right front and rear, with its left-side doors ripped off.
The collision occurred approximately 25 miles northeast of Fresno. Authorities stated that drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the ongoing investigation. It is unclear if any charges have been filed against the teenage driver.