One dead in pre-dawn collision on State Route 33 near Coalinga. CHP investigating

A 26-year-old man from Avenal died Friday following a pre-dawn crash involving three cars on State Route 33 north of Highway 41 near Coalinga.

The California Highway Patrol responded to a call around 5:20 a.m. that a a driver had crossed into the southbound lanes and into the path of oncoming traffic. This resulted in a head-on collision and a secondary crash with a third car.

The driver who crossed lanes, identified as Charles Penner, 43, of Paso Robles, was taken to Adventist Medical Center in Coalinga with moderate injures, the CHP said. The second driver in the head-on collision, who was not initially identified, had more serious injuries and was take by helicopter to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the third car, Anna Oliveros, 38, of Avenal, was uninjured, CHP said.

The crash is under investigation, but alcohol and drugs are not suspected as factors in the crash. Neither is speed. According to a CHP report, neither of the cars was traveling over 60 mph at the time of the crash.

This story was originally published May 3, 2019 at 11:54 AM.