Two killed in head-on crash on Auberry Road; man arrested

A head-on collision on Auberry Road west of Summit Mountain Road on Friday morning left two people dead and prompted the arrest of a 21-year-old man, officials said. The crash occurred about 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 16, closing the rural roadway and drawing multiple emergency crews to the scene.

Investigators allege Lazaro Hernandez, 21, was driving eastbound at about 70 mph, crossed the double yellow lines while entering a curve and collided head-on with a westbound Kia occupied by an elderly couple in their 70s. Both occupants of the Kia were pronounced dead at the scene. Hernandez was detained and booked into the Fresno County Jail; he is expected to be charged with two counts of felony gross vehicular manslaughter.

The California Highway Patrol reported the odor of marijuana inside Hernandez’s vehicle, but a Drug Recognition Expert evaluation reportedly ruled out impairment. CHP continues to investigate the crash, including whether excessive speed and lane violation contributed to the fatal outcome.

The collision underscores safety risks on county roads that serve many residents who travel between foothill communities and the valley. Auberry Road is a two-lane route with curves and limited sight lines in places, and double yellow lines are intended to prevent unsafe passing maneuvers. Rural accidents like this one stretch emergency medical services and can leave families and neighbors with limited local supports in the immediate aftermath.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the crash raises public health and policy questions for Fresno County. Traffic fatalities are preventable injuries that disproportionately affect families across income and age groups, and they highlight the intersection of roadway design, enforcement resources and driver behavior. Community advocates and public health officials often cite the need for improved speed enforcement, targeted education about passing on narrow roads, and infrastructure changes such as warning signage or shoulder improvements on dangerous curves.

Local emergency responders and healthcare providers also bear the burden when high-speed collisions produce fatalities and severe trauma. For rural residents, longer transport times to trauma centers and limited local resources can compound the consequences of crashes. Support for grieving families and investment in trauma and bereavement services are part of the longer-term community response.

CHP’s ongoing investigation will determine final charges and complete the technical reconstruction of the crash. In the meantime, drivers on Auberry Road and nearby corridors are likely to see increased patrols as authorities examine conditions that led to this collision. For families and neighbors, the loss is immediate and profound; for policymakers and public health leaders, the crash is a reminder that road safety and rural emergency readiness require continued attention and investment.