Thornton, CA (May 29, 2024) – A tragic incident on Interstate 5 resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to two others near Walnut Grove Road, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Incident Overview: The accident occurred around 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday when a Ford F-150, driven by 65-year-old Praveena Nordfelt of Fresno, was reportedly traveling northbound on I-5. For reasons still under investigation, she crossed the center divide into the southbound lanes. Despite efforts by the driver of a Freightliner semi-truck to avoid a collision by veering away, Nordfelt’s vehicle struck the side of the semi before colliding head-on with another Ford F-150. Nordfelt was extricated from her vehicle by firefighters but succumbed to her injuries at the scene. The driver of the semi-truck was transported to San Joaquin County General Hospital as a precaution, and the driver of the other Ford F-150 sustained major, but non-life-threatening injuries.
Legal Implications: CHP spokesperson Angel Arceo stated that an extensive investigation is underway, including a thorough inspection of Nordfelt’s vehicle to rule out any mechanical failures. The aim is to determine the precise cause of the collision and why Nordfelt crossed into opposing traffic. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, there could be implications of negligence on behalf of a manufacturer. The families of the injured parties might pursue personal injury claims and, if it’s found that a defect in the vehicle may have contributed to the crash, the family of the deceased victim could pursue a wrongful death claim for their loss.
My thoughts are with the families affected by this devastating accident, particularly those mourning the loss of Praveena Nordfelt. I also wish a swift recovery to the injured individuals involved.
Source: KCRA