Fresno County, California – Mark Bruce, 57, of Fresno, along with two young passengers, Blanca Villegas Martinez, 18, of Selma, and Dezirae Perez, 17, of Fresno, tragically lost their lives in a devastating car crash on Friday night.
The fatal accident occurred around 7 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 41 and Nebraska Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Mark Bruce was driving a Chevrolet Silverado westbound on Nebraska Avenue when he failed to stop at a posted stop sign. The Silverado collided with a southbound Dodge Ram traveling on Highway 41.
The force of the collision, which involved the Dodge Ram towing a fifth-wheel trailer, was so severe that it caused both vehicles to veer off the road and down an embankment. The trailer detached from its frame and was completely destroyed in the crash.
Mark Bruce, who was wearing a seatbelt, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. His passengers, Martinez and Perez, who were not wearing seatbelts, were ejected from the vehicle and also died at the scene. Another female passenger, whose identity has not been released, was critically injured and airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center, where she remains in critical condition.
The driver of the Dodge Ram sustained moderate injuries, while a male passenger suffered major injuries. A 4-year-old child in the Dodge also complained of pain and, along with the other occupants, was transported to Community Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Following the crash, Highway 41 was shut down for seven hours, with traffic redirected at Floral Avenue as authorities conducted their investigation.
This tragic accident has left the Fresno County community mourning the loss of three lives, with many expressing their condolences and prayers for the victims and their families.