Published: September 11, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Oakdale, CA) – A woman died Thursday night when the car she was driving collided head-on with a pickup truck on Highway 120 just east of Oakdale, according to officials.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the wreck took place around 8:27 p.m. on Highway 120 near Lancaster Road. Investigators said a 2017 Honda Civic was heading westbound when its driver moved to pass another vehicle. The Civic then struck a Ford F-150 pickup truck head-on, the CHP said.
After the impact, the Honda caught fire, and the woman behind the wheel could not get out, according to the CHP. She was declared dead where the crash occurred. Each vehicle carried only its driver, the CHP said, and the person driving the Ford F-150 was left with minor injuries.
Highway 120 was shut down in both directions between Lancaster Road and Kennedy Road, and motorists were asked to steer clear of the area and take other routes. The CHP first estimated that the road would stay closed until roughly midnight Thursday.
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 120 Collision
The following is a general discussion of California law and not a statement about fault in this crash, which remains under investigation. When a fatal collision occurs, investigators typically reconstruct the sequence of events, including the position of each vehicle, the direction of travel, and whether a passing maneuver placed a vehicle into oncoming traffic. Under Civil Code section 1714(a), a person is responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care, and that principle guides how civil liability is evaluated in motor-vehicle cases.
One area investigators often examine is speed relative to conditions. California's Basic Speed Law, Vehicle Code section 22350, requires that no one drive faster than is reasonable and prudent given weather, visibility, and the roadway. If evidence were to show a statutory violation that contributed to the crash, Evidence Code section 669 allows negligence to be presumed when the violation proximately caused an injury the law was meant to prevent and the injured party is within the class the statute protects.
Because a death occurred, California's wrongful death and survival statutes may become relevant. Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 identifies who may bring a wrongful death claim, generally a surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, or other specified heirs, while section 377.30 governs survival claims that pass to a decedent's successor in interest. The measure of damages in such cases is set by Civil Code section 3333, which allows recovery for all detriment proximately caused. Where more than one party may share fault, Civil Code section 1431.2 allocates non-economic damages according to each party's proportional share.
What Families Can Do
Families coping with a fatal crash have several practical steps available to them. Obtaining a copy of the CHP collision report, preserving vehicle and scene evidence, and documenting all losses can be important, particularly where a fire has damaged one of the vehicles. Drivers involved in injury or fatal crashes generally must report to the CHP or local police within 24 hours under Vehicle Code section 20008 and to the DMV within 10 days under Vehicle Code section 16000. California's two-year deadline for personal injury and wrongful death claims under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 can pass quickly, so timely legal guidance matters. 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. CBS News – Driver killed in fiery head-on crash while trying to pass vehicle near Oakdale
