Kings County crashes kill 5 in 12 days; victims identified
Five people died in automobile accidents in Kings County over a 12-day period.
On June 5, Donald Murcia, 27, of Stratford was driving alone in a 2000 Nissan around 6:50 p.m. on Excelsior Avenue west of 14th Avenue when for unknown reasons his car went off the road, hit an almond tree and rolled over. Murcia was fatally injured. It’s unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor.
About 12:50 p.m. May 31, Amanda Puga, 27, of Sanger, was driving alone in a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo heading east on Excelsior Avenue just east of 11th Avenue. For unknown reasons, she lost control of the car, hit a power pole and died at the scene. It’s unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor.
About 6:15 p.m. May 30, Francis Berenice Cruz, 27, of Riverdale was driving a 1999 Lincoln Navigator north on Seventh Avenue when for unknown reasons she ran a stop sign at Houston Avenue, went off the road and hit a palm tree. She died at a hospital. Two passengers, including a 7-year-old girl, were injured. Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor, the CHP said.
About 6:35 p.m. May 26, Serena Christiansen, 20, of Visalia, was driving south on 13 1/4 Avenue in a 2010 Chevrolet and had stopped momentarily at the stop sign at Excelsior Avenue when for unknown reasons she drove into the intersection and into the path of a Freightliner truck. She suffered fatal injuries. It’s unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor, and the case remains under investigation.
On May 25, Adelita Cabral Aguilar, 35, of Corcoran, was driving a 2002 Lincoln LS east on Lacey Boulevard when her vehicle was struck by a 2016 Scion that ran a stop sign. She died at the scene. The driver of the Scion, Christopher Melendrez, 18, of Lemoore, and a passenger were taken to the hospital for minor injuries. Alcohol or drugs did not appear to be a factor. The case remains under investigation.
The Hanford CHP office will review the accidents to determine if more enforcement is needed in some areas, CHP Officer John Tyler said.
Lewis Griswold: 559-441-6104, @fb_LewGriswold
This story was originally published June 9, 2016 at 1:55 PM with the headline "Kings County crashes kill 5 in 12 days; victims identified."