Monterey County, California (December 7, 2025) — Authorities have identified Melanie Manalac, 45, of Salinas, as the woman killed Sunday night in a violent head-on collision on Espinosa Road between Salinas and Castroville. The California Highway Patrol reports that alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash.
Incident Details: The two-vehicle collision occurred around 7:34 p.m. near the intersection of Espinosa Road and Rodgers Road. Preliminary findings indicate a Nissan sedan driven by a 33-year-old man from Oklahoma was traveling westbound when it crossed into the oncoming eastbound lane for unknown reasons. The Nissan struck a Ford SUV head-on.
Manalac, a passenger in the Ford, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Ford’s driver, a 45-year-old man from Salinas, sustained major injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The Nissan driver was also hospitalized with significant injuries. Their names have not been released yet.
Investigation: CHP investigators are working to determine why the Nissan crossed into oncoming traffic. Because impairment is suspected, toxicology testing will be central to the investigation. Detectives will also review roadway evidence such as skid marks, vehicle damage profiles, and debris patterns to determine the Nissan’s trajectory and speed at the time of impact.
Investigators may analyze surveillance footage from nearby farms or businesses, download event data recorder information from both vehicles, and interview witnesses to reconstruct the events leading up to the collision. Head-on crashes on rural two-lane roads often prompt analysis of lighting conditions, lane visibility, and any evasive action taken by the SUV’s driver.
For Manalac’s family, a thorough reconstruction will be vital to understanding how a routine Sunday evening turned into a life-altering tragedy.
Legal Considerations: Under California law, drivers are required to remain in their designated lane and operate their vehicles safely, taking into account prevailing conditions. When a driver crosses into opposing traffic and alcohol is suspected, the legal implications can be significant, including potential criminal charges such as DUI, causing injury, or gross vehicular manslaughter if impairment is confirmed.
For the surviving driver of the Ford and for the Manalac family, the aftermath is profoundly difficult. Manalac’s death represents the sudden loss of a loved one whose presence anchored her family and community. A wrongful death claim may allow her relatives to pursue compensation for funeral expenses, emotional grief, loss of companionship, and other damages stemming from the crash.
Meanwhile, the injured Ford driver may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim to recover medical costs, lost income, and the long-term effects of the trauma. These legal remedies cannot undo what happened, but they can help stabilize families facing overwhelming emotional and financial burdens.
My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Melanie Manalac, and my sincere hopes for a full recovery to the injured Ford driver.
Source: KSBW