A two-vehicle collision on Academy Avenue near Dinuba Avenue in Selma on the morning of May 14 claimed the life of 28-year-old Alex Lopez of Kingsburg. Investigators say Lopez’s northbound Toyota Corolla drifted onto the dirt shoulder, then overcorrected into the path of a southbound GMC Denali, resulting in a head-on impact. Lopez was found unresponsive with serious injuries and later died at Adventist Health in Selma despite emergency treatment. Debris from the crash blocked multiple lanes and both vehicles came to rest on the right side of the roadway. It remains unclear whether the GMC’s occupants were injured, and no arrests have been reported. The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the cause of the collision.
Accident News Report
Authorities have identified the man killed in a two-vehicle collision near Selma as 28-year-old Alex Lopez of Kingsburg.
The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. on May 14 on Academy Avenue, just north of Dinuba Avenue in Fresno County, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Investigators said Lopez was driving a Toyota Corolla north on Academy Avenue when, for reasons still under investigation, his vehicle drifted onto the dirt shoulder. He then overcorrected to the left, crossing the roadway into the path of a southbound GMC Denali.
Officials said the front of the GMC struck Lopez’s car. Both vehicles ultimately came to rest on the right-hand side of the roadway, and debris, including a bumper and other vehicle parts, was scattered across all lanes.
Emergency crews arrived to find Lopez unresponsive with serious injuries. Paramedics performed life-saving measures and transported him to Adventist Health in Selma, where he later died from his injuries.
One person was initially reported trapped in the gray Toyota Corolla after the crash. It was not immediately clear whether the occupants of the GMC were injured. No arrests were reported.
The collision caused traffic disruptions along Academy Avenue while California Highway Patrol officers, other emergency responders, and tow crews worked to assist those involved, clear debris, and remove the damaged vehicles.
The California Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the exact cause of the crash.
Important Details
Crash occurred around 7:30 a.m. on May 14
Academy Avenue north of Dinuba Avenue, near Selma in Fresno County, California
28-year-old Alex Lopez of Kingsburg, identified as the deceased driver
Two-vehicle head-on collision involving a northbound Toyota Corolla and a southbound GMC Denali
Corolla drifted onto dirt shoulder, then overcorrected across lanes into the path of the GMC, which struck the front of Lopez’s car
Lopez suffered serious injuries and later died at Adventist Health in Selma; injuries to GMC occupants were unclear
Gray Toyota Corolla (older-model silver sedan) and white GMC pickup/Denali
CHP officers, emergency responders, and tow crews responded; one person was initially reported trapped in the Corolla
Debris scattered across all lanes and both vehicles on the right-hand side caused traffic disruptions on Academy Avenue
California Highway Patrol is investigating; exact cause of the crash remains under investigation and no arrests reported
What California law says after a car accident
Who may bring a wrongful death claim in California
When a collision results in death, California law allows specific family members to bring a wrongful death claim. The categories are defined by statute and generally include a surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and, where there is no surviving spouse or issue, others who would be entitled to the property of the person who died. Certain dependents, including a putative spouse, stepchildren, or parents who were financially dependent, may also qualify.
A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their own losses, including financial support, funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of the companionship, guidance, and society the person provided.
A separate claim, called a survival action, covers losses the person themselves sustained before death, such as medical expenses and lost earnings. California law changed here. For survival actions filed on or after January 1, 2026, damages for the decedent’s own pain, suffering, or disfigurement are no longer recoverable. Cases filed before that date are not affected, and different rules can apply in elder abuse matters.
Eligibility depends on family circumstances, filing deadlines are strict, and the damages available depend in part on when a case is filed.
Reporting requirements after a California collision
California imposes reporting duties on drivers that are separate from any insurance claim.
A report must be filed with the DMV on form SR-1 within ten days of a collision that caused any injury, any death, or more than one thousand dollars in property damage to any one person. This duty applies regardless of fault, applies even when police responded and wrote their own report, and is not satisfied by notifying an insurance company. With current repair costs, most collisions that involve a body shop meet the damage threshold.
A separate rule covers collisions causing injury or death. The driver must make a written report to the California Highway Patrol, or to the city police department where the collision happened in a city, within twenty four hours. The statute states this duty for every injury or fatal collision. In practice, where officers responded and completed a report at the scene, that report generally satisfies the agency’s need, but a driver who assumes this without confirming it is relying on practice rather than on the text of the law.
Missing the DMV deadline can lead to suspension of driving privileges, an outcome unrelated to who caused the collision.
Information for Families After a Fatal Collision
Losing a family member in a collision raises urgent legal questions, often long before anyone feels ready to ask them. These guides set out the basics, with no obligation attached.
- California wrongful death attorney: who may file, the deadlines that apply, and what a claim covers
- Los Angeles car accident lawyer: fault, insurance offers, and what a claim is worth
- All practice areas
Injured in This Accident? Get Trusted Legal Guidance
After an accident, the right information can make a meaningful difference. If you or a loved one was hurt, The Law Offices of Burg and Brock, Inc. can help you understand your rights, evaluate your options, and determine whether legal action may be available.
Speak with our legal team today and get clear guidance before making important decisions.