1 killed, others injured in Highway 180 crashes

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- One person is dead and several others are in the hospital after two separate crashes in Western Fresno County Saturday evening.

Four cars were involved in an injury crash on Highway 180 near San Mateo just before 5:30 p.m.

Less than 20 minutes later, a woman was killed on the 180 near Howard Avenue. Officers say she drove her car into the back of a truck towing a trailer that had come to a stop. Investigators believe the trailer may not have had proper lighting on the back, which would have made it hard to see in the dark.

The unidentified woman died at the scene, and the driver of the truck was taken to the hospital.

As for the four-car crash, Action News has learned two people were taken to the hospital, including one who was airlifted with major injuries.

"There's not a lot of lighting, so basically the speed limit is set, so just follow the speed limit and just be safe," said Sgt. Clint Rutter of the California Highway Patrol.

CHP officers say poor visibility due to fog may also be a factor in these accidents. It does not appear that drugs or alcohol played a factor in the fatality. But the cause of the four-car collision is still under investigation.