VERNALIS, Calif. — An 11-month-old girl died Sunday from injuries she suffered Saturday afternoon in a five-car crash near Vernalis, the California Highway Patrol said. A 26-year-old Ceres man was also pronounced dead at the scene.
CHP’s Modesto office responded to a crash involving five cars around 1 p.m. Saturday. The 26-year-old Ceres man was killed in the crash, and the 11-month-old passenger from a separate car was originally hospitalized with major injuries.
Four others involved in the crash had minor injuries. Vernalis is roughly 25 minutes west of Modesto.
Officials said the 26-year-old was driving eastbound on Highway 132 near River Road. The 26-year-old allegedly turned their car to the left for unknown reasons and crossed double yellow lines into the opposite lane.
The car sideswiped another car, then struck a third car head-on after driving in the opposite lane, CHP said. The car that was hit head-on braked, and another car reportedly rear-ended them.
CHP has not determined if drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash. The agency also put forth a reminder after the crash: All parents and caregivers must place children under 2 in a rear-facing car seat per state law.
