Truck crashes into Caruthers house; two dead

Two people are dead after a truck careened through a fence into a home in Caruthers Monday, resulting in a fire that destroyed the residence.

At 2:02 a.m. Fresno County Fire Department was alerted to the blaze at 13574 S. West Ave. near the corner with Henderson Road. By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze in the two-story home was already well established.

The truck was lodged inside the home. County fire investigators believe that the vehicle caught fire when fuel began leaking after the collision. The flames then spread to the home.

The Fresno County Coroner’s Office identified the woman as Michelle Willis, 55. Property records listed her as the owner of the home. The driver of the truck was a man, said Deputy Coroner Kelly Matlock. Authorities had yet to identify him.

According to friends and neighbors, Willis had been a secretary at Caruthers High School and had recently been promoted. The Caruthers High School website listed as the principal’s secretary.

Erica Ramirez was a friend of Willis. She spoke tearfully of her while looking at the remains of the home.

“She was a very loving mother. She was great,” said Ramirez. “My daughter and son went to her school.”

Caruthers High School’s office was closed on Monday.

Loni Kozera lives across the street from the home. Around 2 a.m. she heard a crash followed by an explosion. She went outside and heard Willis calling for help.

“She says ‘Help me! Help me!’ And there was another explosion, and she says ‘I’m on fire!’” said Kozera. “Then there was another explosion and then silence.”

Kozera said that the truck that crashed into the house trapped Willis by blocking her escape route.

According to another neighbor, Alejandro Ochoa, after the initial crash there were two to three additional explosions. His family, along with Kozera, tried to rescue the woman.

“We got close, but it was extremely hot,” said Ochoa.

Carlos Morales arrived at the scene shortly after the fire started. He said that the vehicle involved in the incident was a Ford F-150.

Both Willis and the man driving the truck were pronounced dead at the scene.

CHP was trying to determine a cause for the crash.

This story was originally published June 22, 2015 at 10:01 AM with the headline "Truck crashes into Caruthers house; two dead."