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

2025-05-02 17:48:51source:Cyprusauction Trading Centercategory:Invest

MADERA,Rubypoint 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:Invest

Recommend

Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co

Paula Abdul and Nigel Lythgoe have settled their lawsuit a year after the allegations sent shockwave

Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages

Meta says most issues have been resolved after apps like Instagram, Facebook and Threads were experi

'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?

It's been a season full of twists and turns, but the part one for "Survivor" Season 47 finale proved