A 28-year-old woman and a 2-year-old girl died after their Honda Civic ran a stop sign and collided with a Chevrolet Tahoe near Easton in Fresno County on Dec. 17. The CHP said the toddler was partially ejected and no child safety seat was found; the child was unrestrained and the driver is believed to have been unbelted. Two teens in the Tahoe were taken to hospital with moderate injuries and were wearing seatbelts. The CHP urged the public to always use seatbelts and proper child restraints as the investigation continues.
Tragedy in Fresno County: 28-Year-Old Driver and 2-Year-Old Passenger Killed After Honda Runs Stop Sign; Child Unrestrained
CBS47 KSEE24A vehicle following a crash at the scene in Fresno County, California
A 28-year-old woman and a 2-year-old girl were killed after their Honda Civic ran a stop sign and collided with a Chevrolet Tahoe in Fresno County, California, on Wednesday, Dec. 17, authorities said.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the crash occurred shortly after 10 a.m. at the intersection of Jefferson and Walnut Avenues near the community of Easton. Investigators described the impact as a "violent collision" after the Civic drove into the path of the Tahoe.
CHP officers reported that the toddler was partially ejected during the crash and that no child safety seat was found inside the vehicle; the child was unrestrained. Investigators believe the 28-year-old driver was also not wearing a seatbelt. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and the child later died at a hospital.
GettyA California Highway Patrol (CHP) car
Two teenage occupants of the Tahoe — a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy — were taken to a hospital with moderate injuries; CHP officials said both teens were wearing seatbelts. Authorities said the force of the collision left the Tahoe with a wheel upright while the Honda came to rest on its side.
"Such heart wrenching feelings that go through emotions for the first responders — we can't say it loud enough, wear your seatbelts," CHP Officer Mike Salas said in a statement quoted by local outlets.
A nearby resident, Aiden Wettlaufer, told reporters he ran outside and saw the toddler ejected from the vehicle: "That was horrible, that was really sad, I have no words about that."
The CHP urged parents and caregivers who need help obtaining an appropriate child safety seat to contact their local law enforcement agencies. Officials said the investigation into the crash is ongoing. PEOPLE has contacted the California Highway Patrol and the Fresno County Police Department for comment.
