Fatal crash victim from Clovis named by coroner. Fresno driver lost control, CHP says
A 37-year-old woman killed this week when her car was struck by an out-of-control vehicle was identified Wednesday by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office.
Helena Rhinehart of Clovis was involved in the fatal collision about 3:10 a.m. Tuesday on Highway 168 near the Ashlan Avenue off-ramp, the coroner confirmed.
She was driving a 2015 Nissan Altima east on the highway when a driver behind her in a 2007 Dodge Charger lost control of his car, the California Highway Patrol said.
The 23-year-old attempted to regain control but could not before hitting the Nissan from behind, causing both cars to lose control and overturn, CHP said.
Both cars came to rest with the drivers pinned inside, CHP said. The Nissan was on its roof.
Rhinehart was taken to Community Regional Medical Center, where she later died, CHP said.
The other motorist had critical injuries but they were not considered life-threatening, officers said. Alcohol and drugs were not factors in the crash, according to CHP.
