Published: August 20, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Wasco, CA) – Two people were hurt Wednesday afternoon when a semi-truck and a passenger car collided on McCombs Avenue near Wasco, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP reported that officers were dispatched around 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, to a two-vehicle collision on McCombs Avenue, east of Highway 43. The agency said the vehicles involved were a semi-truck and a red Toyota Camry.
According to the CHP, two people were riding in the red vehicle, and the injuries in the crash ranged from moderate to major. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured, the agency said.
The CHP said the red car was being operated by a juvenile from Delano who was turning left onto McCombs Avenue when the vehicle moved into the path of the eastbound semi-truck. Investigators found no sign that drugs or alcohol were factors, according to the agency.
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 McCombs Avenue Collision
When a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck collide at a turn or an intersection, California investigators typically reconstruct the movement of each vehicle, the right-of-way at the location, and the visibility conditions before assigning any conclusions. Nothing here establishes fault; the points below describe only the legal framework that can become relevant once the facts are fully developed.
California law places specific duties on drivers making left turns. Under Vehicle Code section 21801, a driver turning left must yield the right-of-way to approaching vehicles that are close enough to be a hazard and must keep yielding until the turn can be completed safely. If evidence were to show a turn was made without a safe gap, that statute could bear on the analysis; conversely, investigators also examine the conduct of the through vehicle. Under Vehicle Code section 22350, the Basic Speed Law requires every driver to travel at a speed that is reasonable for the conditions, and Vehicle Code section 22406 caps the speed of many large trucks at 55 miles per hour.
Civil liability in a crash like this is governed by ordinary negligence principles. Civil Code section 1714(a) makes each person responsible for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care. Where a safety statute is violated, Evidence Code section 669 can create a presumption of negligence if the violation caused the type of harm the law was meant to prevent. California also allocates fault among parties: under Civil Code section 1431.2, non-economic damages are apportioned according to each party's share of responsibility, so more than one driver's conduct may be weighed.
If a claim proceeds, damages are measured by Civil Code section 3333, which compensates for all detriment proximately caused by the injury. Because the age of the driver has been reported, additional considerations regarding minors and vehicle owners may also come into play as the facts are examined.
What Survivors and Families Can Do
People injured in a collision involving a commercial truck should focus first on medical care, then on preserving the record. Obtaining the CHP collision report, photographing the scene and vehicles, and keeping medical documentation can all matter later. Drivers involved in an injury crash generally 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 deadline to file most personal-injury lawsuits is two years from the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, though different timelines can apply when a minor is involved. Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A California truck 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. GNEWS_CA_CRASH – CHP: Two injured in McCombs Avenue crash near Wasco involving semi-truck: https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/chp-major-injury-reported-in-mccombs-avenue-crash-near-wasco-involving-semi-truck-kern-county-california
