Two people were killed early Monday, June 22, 2026, in a chain-reaction crash on southbound Interstate 5 near Newman in Stanislaus County. According to the California Highway Patrol, a Dodge van traveling at an unsafe speed struck the back of a big rig around 2:25 a.m., roughly 300 feet ahead of a lane closure left over from an earlier collision. The van's driver — a 19-year-old man from Los Angeles — and his front-seat passenger died at the scene, and neither was wearing a seat belt. The big rig driver was not hurt. Families facing a loss like this may have grounds for a wrongful death claim, and the involvement of a commercial big rig adds questions about truck-accident liability.
What Happened in the Deadly I-5 Crash Near Newman?
The fatal crash was one of several at the same stretch of I-5 north of Stuhr Road that night. The chain began around 11:50 p.m., when a Honda sedan traveling at high speed rear-ended a slower Chevrolet Equinox, the California Highway Patrol reported. After that first collision, a Toyota Camry and then a Nissan SUV struck the disabled sedan. Caltrans closed part of the roadway and stayed on scene for about five hours. The 2:25 a.m. crash that killed the two men happened just north of that closure. CHP says it is not yet known whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the fatal collision, and investigators have not released the victims' names. Anyone hurt in a multi-vehicle highway pileup should review their options for a car accident claim.
A Note of Sympathy
Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the two men who lost their lives in this crash. No words can ease that kind of loss, and our concern for everyone affected is sincere.
How Can a Stanislaus County Accident Lawyer Help?
Frank Penney Injury Lawyers has recovered over $1 billion for accident victims across Northern California. If you or someone you love was injured in a Central Valley highway crash, our team can investigate what happened, deal with the insurance companies, and fight for the full value of your claim. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win. Call 888-888-0566 or contact our team for a free consultation.