MADERA COUNTY – A three-car collision on Highway 41 last night has claimed the life of a young woman from North Fork.
At 10:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, an 18-year-old North Fork resident was northbound on Highway 41 just south of the 22-Mile House in a 2007 Toyota at an estimated speed of about 60 mph, according to CHP.
Rachel Martinez, 59, of Fresno, was southbound in a 2001 Chevy Blazer, and Austin Martindale, 19, of Santa Cruz was also southbound, behind the Blazer, in a 2004 Subaru Forester.
For unknown reasons, the driver of the Toyota allowed her vehicle to cross into the southbound lane, clipping the left front of the Blazer, and continuing along the southbound lane, where it collided head-on into the Subaru.
The driver of the Subaru sustained major injuries and was transported to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. The driver of the Blazer was not injured.
The young woman driving the Toyota sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. Her name is not being released at this time pending notification of relatives.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
