Yolo County, CA (March 9, 2026) – Authorities identified 37-year-old Gracie Ellen Pack Meiggs of Carmel and 30-year-old Efrain Maximo Martinez of Woodland as the two people who died in the wrong-way crash on Interstate 5 in rural Yolo County. Another individual was seriously injured in the collision.
Incident Details: According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the crash occurred just before midnight Tuesday, March 9, 2026, south of County Road 8. Investigators reported that two vehicles were involved in the collision. One of the vehicles crossed into the opposite direction of traffic on Interstate 5, resulting in a head-on crash.
The wrong-way driver, Martinez, died in the collision. Also killed was Pack Meiggs, who was a passenger in the other vehicle that was struck. The driver of the second vehicle survived but suffered major injuries and was transported for medical treatment.
Authorities indicated that drugs or alcohol are believed to have been contributing factors in the crash.
Investigation: The CHP is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal wrong-way crash. Officers will work to determine how the vehicle entered the freeway, traveling against traffic, and how long it may have been driving in the wrong direction before the collision occurred.
Investigators will likely review:
- Traffic and roadway evidence—examining impact points, skid marks, and vehicle damage to reconstruct the crash.
- Toxicology results—determining whether drugs or alcohol impaired Martinez, the wrong-way driver.
- Witness reports and 911 calls—reviewing reports from motorists who may have seen the vehicle traveling the wrong direction.
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage—identifying where the vehicle may have entered the freeway and the timeline leading up to the crash.
- Vehicle speed and electronic data—analyzing onboard data to understand the drivers’ actions before impact.
These investigative steps will help determine exactly how the wrong-way crash occurred and whether impairment or other factors contributed.
Legal Considerations: Wrong-way crashes on highways are among the most severe types of collisions because they often lead to high-speed head-on impacts. If drugs or alcohol are confirmed to have played a role, the impaired driver’s conduct may constitute negligence and criminal wrongdoing.
If investigators confirm that the wrong-way driver caused the crash, Gracie Ellen Pack Meiggs’s surviving family members may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. The driver who survived the collision may also have a personal injury claim for damages related to their injuries. These claims may seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, funeral costs, and the loss of companionship resulting from the fatal crash.
This crash represents a devastating loss for the families and communities connected to those involved. My thoughts are with the loved ones of Gracie Ellen Pack Meiggs and everyone affected by this tragedy. I also hope the injured survivor is able to recover and find support during the difficult days ahead.
My thoughts are also with the family and loved ones of Efrain Maximo Martinez as they cope with this tragic loss and the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Source: CBS News