Honda Civic smashes into back of big rig on Highway 99 in Fresno, killing Merced woman

A Merced woman was killed in a crash with a big rig on Highway 99 in Fresno.

Christina Barton, 33, was identified by the Fresno County coroner as the victim in Thursday’s crash. The California Highway Patrol said she was the passenger in a Honda Civic.

According to CHP spokesman Mike Salas, just before 9:30 a.m. the Honda was traveling at a high rate of speed south on Highway 99 just north of Herndon Avenue.

Witnesses told officers that the Honda driver was cutting through traffic and had moved to the slow lane in an attempt to pass a vehicle when the driver crashed into the rear of a tractor-trailer rig. Barton was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, who has not been identified, was taken to a hospital with major injuries and was listed in critical condition Friday evening, Salas said.

Neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be a factor in the crash, Salas said.