Tracy, CA (March 31, 2024) – In a heartbreaking incident on Interstate 580, a collision caused by a wrong-way driver resulted in the deaths of 32-year-old Azucena Perez from Fort Bragg and a two-month-old baby girl, also from Fort Bragg. The California Highway Patrol reported that the accident occurred around 2 a.m. on March 31, just west of Corral Hollow Road, involving a 2007 Honda Accord and a 2023 Kia Telluride.
Incident Overview: According to authorities, the Honda, driven by 19-year-old Harold Liberty IV from Antioch, was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-580 when it collided head-on with the Kia driven by Perez. The impact was so severe that both vehicles overturned, leading to Liberty being ejected into the center median and pronounced dead at the scene. Perez was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to her injuries.
In addition to Perez and the infant, a 35-year-old man (Perez’s husband) and their 4-year-old boy, both passengers in the Kia, were hospitalized, with the man and the baby sustaining major injuries and the boy minor injuries. The infant tragically passed away a day after the accident, despite the efforts of medical personnel at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.
The crash has raised questions regarding the involvement of alcohol or drugs, although it remains unclear if they played a factor in this devastating event.
Legal Implications: This tragic collision underscores the grave dangers of wrong-way driving on highways. The families affected by this tragedy may have grounds for wrongful death claims against the estate of Harold Liberty IV, seeking compensation for their immense losses, including funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.
Ongoing Investigation: The California Highway Patrol is investigating what led Liberty to cross into oncoming lanes. The authorities and community are seeking closure and looking for ways to prevent such senseless tragedies in the future.
As the families grapple with the aftermath of this incident, an online fundraiser has been established to support the family of Azucena Perez, remembered by her friend Angelica, as having “the biggest heart” and being an unforgettable presence in the lives of those she loved.