58-Year-Old Woman Killed in Early-Morning Crash Near Mecca

A 58-year-old woman has been identified following a deadly two-vehicle collision early Monday morning in an unincorporated area of Mecca.

The victim, Maria Moreno de Hernandez of Mecca, died from injuries sustained in the crash, according to authorities.

The California Highway Patrol responded shortly after 6:00 a.m. following reports of a collision on 70th Street. Investigators determined that a red tractor hauling a flatbed trailer was traveling westbound when a Ford pickup truck struck the back of the trailer.

When emergency personnel arrived, the driver of the pickup—later confirmed to be Hernandez—was pronounced deceased at the scene.

CHP officials stated that drugs or alcohol do not appear to be contributing factors in the collision. The incident remains under investigation as officers work to determine what led to the crash.