Rancho Cucamonga, California (September 2, 2025) — A 28-year-old Garden Grove woman was killed Tuesday night in a crash involving a semi-truck on Interstate 15, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Incident Details: The fatal collision occurred at approximately 10:12 p.m. in the southbound lanes of the 15 Freeway near the Foothill Boulevard exit. CHP logs indicate that a silver sedan, believed to be a Toyota Camry, collided with a semi-trailer and became partially lodged beneath its rear. Two additional vehicles were also involved in the wreck. Emergency responders arrived to find one person deceased at the scene. Authorities later identified the victim as Karina L. Abarca of Garden Grove. No other injuries were reported among the drivers or passengers of the other vehicles. Traffic was significantly impacted for several hours as crews worked to investigate the crash and clear the roadway. The CHP continues to investigate the circumstances leading up to the collision.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: Rear underride collisions, where a smaller vehicle becomes lodged beneath the back of a semi-trailer, are among the most dangerous truck accidents. These crashes often result in catastrophic or fatal injuries due to the mismatch in height and weight between the two vehicles. Investigators will examine whether the truck driver stopped suddenly, whether the sedan was following too closely, and whether lighting or reflective markings on the trailer were sufficient for visibility. Federal safety regulations require many trailers to have underride guards, but these do not always prevent fatalities when impacts occur at highway speeds.
The involvement of two additional vehicles adds complexity to the case. Investigators will work to determine whether those drivers contributed to the collision or were secondary victims caught in the aftermath. Multiple claims may be filed in multi-vehicle cases, and liability can be shared among several parties. Liability could rest with the truck driver, the trucking company, or even the trailer manufacturer if the equipment failed to meet safety standards.
From a civil standpoint, Abarca’s family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim against any parties found negligent. Claims of this nature can help families recover compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional toll of losing a loved one.
Crashes like this highlight the devastating risks passenger vehicles face when sharing the road with large commercial trucks. For families suddenly confronted with such a tragedy, legal action cannot undo the loss but can provide financial stability and accountability during a time of grief.
I offer my heartfelt condolences to Karina L. Abarca’s family and loved ones in this challenging time.
Source: VVNG