Published: August 15, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Calexico, CA) – Two people were taken to the hospital after a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 111 in Calexico on Friday morning, according to the Calexico Police Department.
The collision involved two vehicles and a Caltrans tractor, police said. One of the vehicles caught fire in the aftermath, prompting the Calexico Fire Department to respond alongside the California Highway Patrol and Caltrans crews.
Investigators with the Calexico Police Department indicated that one of the drivers may have fallen asleep before the crash. "It was reported that the driver of party one, which is the first rider to collide, fell asleep at the wheel," said Lt. Miguel Carbajal with CPD.
Know Your Rights After a Crash
After a serious crash, California law gives injured people and families limited time to act. Evidence like vehicle data, camera footage, and witness memories fades quickly. A free, no-obligation case review can help you understand your options. Call or text (888) 800-6731, or start a free case review online. Asistencia en español disponible.
Analysis of the Highway 111 Collision
When a driver reportedly loses awareness behind the wheel, investigators typically look at whether the person was operating a vehicle with the ordinary care that California law expects. Under Civil Code section 1714(a), a person is responsible for injuries caused to others by a lack of ordinary care or skill. Whether that standard was met in any given case depends on the facts developed through the police investigation, and no conclusion should be drawn before that work is complete.
California's Basic Speed Law, Vehicle Code section 22350, requires drivers to travel at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for the conditions. Reviewers of a highway crash often examine speed, roadway conditions, and how the involved vehicles were positioned. If evidence were to show a statutory violation that contributed to the collision, Evidence Code section 669 sets out how a violation can create a presumption of negligence when it proximately causes the type of injury the statute was meant to prevent and the injured person falls within the protected class.
Because a Caltrans tractor and Caltrans crews were on scene, any claim potentially touching a public entity would carry additional procedural requirements. Government Code section 911.2 generally requires a written claim to be presented to a public entity within six months of the incident, and Government Code section 945.4 bars a damages lawsuit against a public entity until such a claim has been presented and acted upon or deemed rejected. These rules are highly fact-specific and would only apply depending on what the investigation reveals about each party's role.
If fault is ultimately shared among multiple parties, Civil Code section 1431.2 governs how non-economic damages are allocated according to each party's percentage of fault, and Civil Code section 3333 sets the general measure of tort damages as the amount needed to compensate for all detriment proximately caused.
What Injured People and Families Can Do
People hurt in a crash like this one can request a copy of the police collision report, keep records of medical treatment, and preserve any photographs, insurance information, and contact details for witnesses. Drivers involved in an injury crash must file a written report with law enforcement within 24 hours under Vehicle Code section 20008 and report to the DMV within 10 days under Vehicle Code section 16000. California's general two-year deadline for personal injury claims under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 can be much shorter when a public entity may be involved, so acting promptly matters. Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A California car accident lawyer at Yaghmai Law Firm can explain your options and deal with the insurance companies for you. Call or text (888) 800-6731 or request a free case review.
About the Author
Houtan Yaghmai, Esq., President & Managing Attorney of Yaghmai Law Firm, APC. California State Bar No. 298487. Speaks English, French, and Persian. The firm represents personal injury clients throughout Southern California – consultations by phone, text, or video, no office visits required.
This post was assembled with AI assistance from publicly reported news sources cited below. All California Vehicle Code references were verified against leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Facts were re-checked via additional web searches before publication. This post is based on initial news reports and may be updated as new facts develop. Nothing in this article is legal advice. Yaghmai Law Firm, APC is not associated with the investigating agencies and does not represent any party named in this post unless explicitly stated.
Sources:
1. RSS_KYMA – Two injured in crash on Highway 111 in Calexico: https://kyma.com/crashes/2026/08/14/two-injured-in-crash-on-highway-111-in-calexico/