Auburn, California (June 7, 2026) – The California Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal head-on collision on Foresthill Road that left one person dead and two others injured. The crash involved a Toyota Corolla and a Toyota Tacoma and occurred between Lincoln Way and Old Foresthill Road.
The Corolla was occupied by a driver, a passenger, and a child. According to CHP, the passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Corolla’s driver sustained serious injuries. The child, who was properly restrained in a car seat, was not seriously injured and was being evaluated as a precaution, authorities said.
The Tacoma was occupied only by its driver, who sustained injuries and was transported to a hospital. Authorities said that the driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Investigators say alcohol may have played a role in the crash.
The identities of those involved have not been released, pending notification of family members. Officials described the investigation as preliminary, and additional details about the circumstances leading up to the crash have not yet been released.
This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.
Losing a family member in a crash caused by an impaired driver is a devastating experience, and for the seriously injured, the road ahead can feel overwhelming. California law gives families and survivors the right to pursue compensation separate from any criminal case.
Drunk Driving Accidents in Northern California, CA
When a driver is arrested on suspicion of DUI after a crash, a civil claim for damages runs separately from the criminal process. A family does not have to wait for a criminal conviction or any criminal outcome at all to pursue a wrongful death or personal injury claim.
If you or a family member were injured in this crash, or lost someone in it, here is what matters now:
- See a doctor immediately. Even injuries that do not seem serious right away can worsen. Medical records establish the link between the crash and your injuries.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
- Preserve all evidence. This includes medical records, photos of the scene, witness contact information, and any official reports released by CHP.
- Do not accept any settlement offer before consulting a personal injury or wrongful death attorney. Early offers are almost always less than what the law allows.
Under California law, a driver who causes injury or death while under the influence may be held liable for damages in a civil claim regardless of how the criminal case resolves. California follows a pure comparative fault standard, meaning the family may still recover compensation even if the investigation reveals any contributing factors on their side.
Wrongful death claims in California must generally be filed within two years of the date of death (CCP 377.60). Personal injury claims for the surviving occupants carry the same two-year deadline under CCP 335.1. Missing that deadline permanently bars the right to recover. Acting quickly also preserves evidence that disappears as time passes.
Contact Our California Car Accident Attorneys
No family should face the loss of a loved one or a serious injury caused by an impaired driver without someone in their corner.
At the Law Offices of J.G. Winter, our California car accident lawyers and wrongful death attorneys have recovered millions for injured clients and grieving families across the region, including a $1.5 million car accident settlement and a $3.5 million commercial vehicle result. We understand the evidence in DUI-involved crashes, how impairment is documented, where liability extends, and what it takes to build a case that reflects the full scope of what your family has lost.
In crashes involving alleged DUI, physical evidence at the scene deteriorates quickly. Early investigation matters.
We work on a contingency fee basis – nothing owed upfront, no fees unless we recover for you. Here is what we bring to cases like this one:
- Proven Results: 100M+ Recovered
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- 20 years of personal injury experience
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Call (844) 764-2596 and talk to us about your family’s case. You can also fill out the contact form, and our team will respond promptly.
