Trio injured in three-car collision

Three Porterville residents were injured, two with reported major injuries, in a three-vehicle collision on Highway 65 early Sunday morning.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision occurred at just after 5 a.m. on Highway 65 south of Avenue 56 near Ducor.

Taken to the hospital with major injuries were Brandon Munoz, 19, driver of a 1993 Jeep, and Gail Januska, 73, driver of a 2001 Dodge. Both are from Porterville. Munoz was taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno and Januska to Delano Regional Hospital.

Also injured was James Contreras, 53, of Porterville, who was driving a 2003 Chevrolet. He was taken to Sierra View Hospital with minor injuries.

The CHP said Munoz was northbound on Highway 65 and Januska was southbound, followed by Contreras. Munoz’ vehicle drifted into the southbound lanes and collided with Januska’s vehicle. Contreras attempted to avoid the collision, but collided with the wheel assembly of Januska’s vehicle that had become detached in the collision. That caused Contreras’ vehicle to overturn.

The collision remains under investigation.