Ten injured in car crash near Strathmore

Ten people were injured, one critically, in a traffic collision Saturday north of Strathmore, according to information released Monday by the California Highway Patrol.

At approximately 3 p.m. Saturday, the Fresno Communications Center (FCC) received a call of a two-vehicle traffic collision on State Route 65 (SR65) at Avenue 208. California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers from the Visalia Area Office were dispatched to the scene.

The initial investigation performed found that Fernando Guiza-lopez, 29 from Lindsay, was driving a Chevrolet pickup traveling northbound on State Route 65 approaching Avenue 208.

Autumn Smith, 22 from Porterville, was driving a Toyota sedan traveling westbound on Avenue 208 and was stopped at the posted stop sign at the intersection with State Route 65.

Smith accelerated westbound across the intersection, directly into the path of the Chevrolet. Guiza-lopez, due to time and proximity, was unable to take successful evasive action, and the front of the Chevrolet broadsided the left side of the Toyota, subsequently pinning the driver of the Toyota Camry in the driver’s seat.

As a result of the collision, nine persons were transported from the scene with minor to major injuries; eight of whom were taken to Kaweah Delta Hospital.

Along with Guiza-lopez, occupants of the Chevrolet truck injured were Melissa Carranza, 27, and four children, all from Lindsay.

Injured along with Smith in the Toyota were Jordan Smith, 29 and two children, all from Porterville.

An eight-year-old female passenger from the Toyota sustained critical injuries and was non-responsive upon emergency personnel’s arrival on scene. She was later transported from Kaweah Delta Hospital to Valley Children’s Medical Center.

It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were a factor in this collision.