The crash happened just after 5 p.m. Friday night on Marks south of Wood.
The California Highway Patrol said 22-year-old Alejandro Luna of Riverdale was driving south on Marks when the tread on one of his tires separated then popped. Luna and his passenger were both ejected from the vehicle.
The female passenger was flown to a Fresno hospital and is expected to survive. Luna died at the scene.