One person died in a two-vehicle collision Tuesday morning on Academy Avenue near Dinuba Avenue in Selma, Fresno County. The crash, reported around 7:36 a.m., involved a white GMC pickup truck and a silver older-model sedan. Both vehicles came to rest on the right side of the road, and debris was scattered across all lanes. One person was trapped in a gray Toyota Corolla after the impact. The victim’s identity has not yet been released, and details on other possible injuries remain unclear. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
Accident News Report
One person was killed Tuesday morning in a two-vehicle crash on Academy Avenue near Dinuba Avenue in Selma, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The collision was reported around 7:36 a.m. near the intersection of South Academy Avenue and East Dinuba Avenue in Fresno County. Investigators said a white GMC pickup truck and a silver older-model sedan collided, leaving both vehicles on the right-hand side of the roadway.
Authorities reported debris, including a bumper and other vehicle parts, scattered across all lanes. One person was reportedly trapped inside a gray Toyota Corolla following the impact.
At least one person sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Officials have not released the victim’s identity, pending notification of family. Information on any additional injuries was not immediately available, and no arrests were reported.
CHP officers and other emergency responders responded to the scene to assist those involved and begin the investigation. Tow crews were called to remove the damaged vehicles, and traffic along Academy Avenue was disrupted while crews cleared debris and conducted on-scene work.
The California Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.
Important Details
Crash reported around 7:36 a.m. on a Tuesday
Near the intersection of South Academy Avenue and East Dinuba Avenue in Selma, Fresno County, California
Two-vehicle collision
White GMC pickup truck, silver older-model sedan, with a gray Toyota Corolla specifically noted as trapping an occupant
At least one person suffered fatal injuries; identity not yet released
Information on additional injuries was not immediately available
Debris scattered across all lanes; both vehicles came to rest on the right-hand side of the roadway; traffic disruptions along Academy Avenue
California Highway Patrol officers, other emergency responders, and tow crews responded to the scene
Exact cause of the crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol
No arrests were reported at the time of the article
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.