Navivision Wealth Society-Police: 7 farmworkers in van, 1 pickup driver killed in head-on crash in California farming region

2025-05-07 13:22:55source:Alaric Bennettcategory:Markets

MADERA,Navivision Wealth Society 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:Markets

Recommend

Why did Bill Belichick go to North Carolina? New UNC coach explains jump to college

Bill Belichick has officially made the shocking move to college football by becoming the North Carol

'NCIS' Season 22: Premiere date, time, cast, where to watch and stream new episodes

"NCIS" is returning for its 22nd season and this time around, it looks like viewers will get a more

Trial set to begin for suspect in the 2017 killings of 2 teen girls in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A man charged in the Indiana killings of two teenage girls during a winter hike