Kingsburg man killed in Selma crash on Academy Avenue

A Kingsburg man died after his Toyota Corolla drifted onto the dirt shoulder of South Academy Avenue in Selma, overcorrected left and was struck by a southbound GMC Denali near East Dinuba Avenue.

Authorities identified the victim as 28-year-old Alex Lopez of Kingsburg. The collision happened May 14 at about 7:30 a.m., when the Fresno Communications Center received a report of a two-vehicle crash on South Academy Avenue, north of East Dinuba Avenue.

According to preliminary California Highway Patrol findings, Lopez was driving northbound when the Toyota’s right tires went onto the dirt shoulder. Investigators said he then steered left sharply, sending the Corolla across the roadway and into the path of the GMC Denali. The GMC’s right front struck the right side of the Toyota.

Lopez was wearing a seat belt and was found unresponsive with major injuries. Emergency responders performed CPR at the scene before he was taken to Adventist Health Selma, where he died from his injuries.

The driver of the GMC suffered minor injuries and was not transported for treatment. A juvenile passenger in the GMC was taken from the scene before CHP arrived. Investigators said it remains unknown whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash.

The crash shut down part of a rural Fresno County corridor that carries daily traffic between Selma and nearby towns, adding another fatal collision to a stretch of road where a routine morning drive turned deadly in seconds. CHP said the investigation is ongoing.