Fiery crash leaves 11-year-old Winton girl dead, closes Highway 99 near Selma

An 11-year-old girl from Winton was killed in a fiery multi-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon when a big rig collided with slowing traffic on Highway 99, shutting down the freeway between Selma and Kingsburg, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The collision happened about 1:20 p.m. on the northbound side of the highway, just south of Mountain View Avenue in a construction zone. Both the northbound and southbound lanes were closed in the immediate aftermath of the crash.

It is believed that the driver of the big rig, identified as Deudiel Ramirez, 60, of Dinuba, pulling a trailer full of fruit, was unable to stop in time when approaching a traffic jam on the highway, according to CHP spokesperson Mike Salas.

The big rig slammed into five other vehicles and burst into flames.

Fifteen people in all were involved, with 10 of them treated at Community Regional Medical Center for moderate to major injuries.

The Fresno County Coroner’s Office identified the girl who died as Brianna Sanchez.

The CHP identified other victims involved in the crash as:

Guillermo Sotelo Jr., 29, of Fresno, who was driving a 1990 Toyota pickup. Passengers were Guillermo Sotelo Sr., 54; Miguel Sotelo, 4; and Jordan Sotelo, 2, all of Fresno. All were treated at the scene.

Alejandro Sanchez, 17, of Delhi, who was driving a 2004 Lincoln Navigator and sustained moderate injuries; and passengers Araceli Hernandez, 32, who sustained moderate injuries; Jesus Sanchez, 14, who sustained major injuries; Alejandro Sanchez Jr., 38, who sustained major injuries; the 11-year-old girl, who was not identified pending notification of other family members; and Emmett Sanchez, 5, who sustained major injuries. All the passengers were from Delhi.

Jose Cardenas, 61, of Kingsburg, who was driving a 2017 GMC van and sustained minor injuries.

Katina Hulse, 47, of Point, Texas, who was driving a 2020 Infinity QX60, and sustained major injuries; and passenger Lisa Jones, 57, also of Point, who sustained moderate injuries.

Roberto Morales, 44, of Corcoran, who was driving a Ford pickup and was not injured.

Neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the crash. The big rig driver remained at the scene and was cooperating with the investigation, Salas said.

Northbound traffic was cut off at the on-ramp at Sierra Street and was blocked into the early evening hours.

Southbound traffic initially was diverted at Floral Avenue but later at Mountain View. Southbound lanes were reopened as the investigation and cleanup continued.

This story was originally published May 10, 2020 at 3:33 PM.