CHP investigates deadly head-on crash in the South Valley

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The California Highway Patrol investigated a head-on crash on Tuesday morning that killed a woman.

Officer Dave Salazar, with CHP, said that the crash happened around 6:30 a.m. in the area of Avenue 192 and Spacer Drive.

Salazar said the female driver of the jeep was headed East on Avenue 192.

He mentioned it appears she took the turn too fast. She crossed the double yellow lines a slammed head-on with a white pickup.

Salazar said the driver of the jeep died on scene and the driver of the pickup truck was taken to the hospital with a broken leg as well as cuts and bruises.

The road was shut down for hours as they worked to investigate and clear the road. Once the vehicles were towed away the road was reopened.

However, the CHP posted onto their Facebook to be cautious in the area because the roads were slick from the fluid that leaked from the vehicles.

Salazar said speed appears to be a factor. However, they are looking into other factors such as distracted driving.

He added they do not have a witness, except for a driver that drove up and saw the aftermath.

"One did say she came upon it immediately after the fact because all she saw was a cloud of dust," Salazar explained.

He said they do know the identities of both drivers but they are not being released at this time. Officers did release that the female victim was from Tulare and the pickup truck driver is from Porterville.

Salazar wants to remind people to take their time when trying to reach their destination.

"Slow down, especially in curves. The speed limit out here is 55 mph, every two-lane road in the state of California basically outside city limits is 55, no greater. There is no need to be going over that speed limit," he said.