Marc Leclerc|Police: 7 farmworkers in van, 1 pickup driver killed in head-on crash in California farming region

2025-05-02 02:00:56source:Lumicoin IAcategory:Finance

MADERA,Marc Leclerc Calif. (AP) — Seven farmworkers traveling in a van and the driver of a pickup truck were killed Friday in a head-on crash in a farming area in central California, police said.

The crash at 6:15 a.m. left the van almost completely crumpled among blooming almond trees near the town of Madera, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) outside Fresno, California Highway Patrol Officer Javier Ruvalcaba said.

One farmworker seated in the rear of the van survived and was taken to a hospital, Ruvalcaba said. He is expected to recover, Ruvalcaba said.

Only two of the farmworkers were wearing a seatbelt, he said. “If they had been wearing their seatbelts, the rear passengers would have probably survived,” Ruvalcaba said.

READ MORE Jury convicts Southern California socialite in 2020 hit-and-run deaths of two young brothersKayakers paddle in Death Valley after rains replenish lake in one of Earth’s driest spotsBackstory of disputed ‘Hotel California’ lyrics pages ‘just felt thin,’ ex-auction exec says

A witness told police the black pickup truck was swerving in and out of its lane on a two-lane rural highway before crashing head-on with the van, Ruvalcaba said.

“At this point, we don’t know whether alcohol or drugs played a factor,” he said.

The farmworkers were about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the vineyard where they worked as pruners when the crash happened, Ruvalcaba said.

The van was headed to the farming community of Firebaugh, an area known for its vineyards and fields of tomatoes, garlic, asparagus and other vegetables.

More:Finance

Recommend

Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes

Friday the 13th might be unlucky for many people, but Mega Millions players could be lucky in tonigh

The Supreme Court Sidesteps a Full Climate Change Ruling, Handing Industry a Procedural Win

The fossil fuel industry won a technical decision on Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in its

RHOC's Tamra Judge Reveals Where She and Shannon Beador Stand After Huge Reconciliation Fight

Tamra Judge and Shannon Beador are finding their way back to friendship—but it will be quite the roc