Porterville man dies in collision

A 21-year-old Porterville man died at a Fresno hospital from injuries he suffered in the collision of a small compact vehicle and a large truck on Avenue 152 and Road 168 Monday.

The man, whose name was not released, was a passenger in a 2004 Dodge Neon that collided with a 1995 Kenworth truck. The two vehicles collided at 10:50 a.m.

The California Highway Patrol said the driver of the Neon, Joshua Espino, 19 of Springville, was  southbound on Road 168 at 55 mph. The CHP said Espino was distracted by talking to his passengers and failed to stop for the stop sign and entered the intersection directly in front of the truck driven by Baljit S. Boparai, 40 of Fowler.

The truck struck the Neon on the right rear passenger side where the 21-year-old was seated.

The Neon spun clockwise and came to rest facing westbound on the right shoulder of Road 168, south of Avenue 152.

The impact practically tore off the back half of the Neon.

The Porterville man was flown to Fresno Community Regional Medical Center where he died.

Espino and another passenger in the Neon, Julian Espino, 19 of Strathmore, both refused medical aid. The driver of the truck was not injured.