Sanger man ID’d as tractor driver killed in Fresno County crash that injured a mom and kids

A 56-year-old Sanger man has been identified as the victim who died in a collision in rural Fresno County on Saturday that involved the man’s tractor and a minivan driven by a mom with five children.

The Fresno County Coroner’s Office on Monday confirmed that Rodney Wafford was using his tractor to help a neighbor remove his truck from a ditch along North Piedra Road near Weldon Avenue when it was struck around 5:15 p.m.

The tractor was attempting to connect with the truck and blocking Piedra Road at the time. Because it was dark and there were no lights on the tractor, the driver of the van, a 41-year-old Reedley woman, could not see it in time to stop, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The driver and five children — ages 8 to 16 — were transported to area hospitals with minor to moderate injuries.

Wafford was thrown from the tractor and pronounced dead at the scene.