Strathmore woman dead in three-car collision

A three-car collision Saturday afternoon west of Strathmore left 52-year-old Strathmore woman Maria Luisa Rosales dead and seven others injured.

According to the California Highway Patrol report, Rosales was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash which occurred at about 4:50 p.m. Saturday.

Nine-year-old Felipe Banuelos, also of Strathmore, is currently in critical condition at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, administrative secretary Tina Fitzpatrick said Monday.

Rosales and Banuelos were in the same vehicle when the collision occurred.

The collision occurred when a 2001 Mitsubishi, driven southbound on Highway 65 by Strathmore resident Hector Parra Solis, 40, attempted to make a left-hand turn onto Avenue 200 in the path of a 2007 Ford F-150 heading northbound.

The Ford F-150 struck the right side of the Mitsubishi.

The impact caused the Ford F-150 to spin out of control and hit a westbound 2002 Hyundai Accent with four passengers stopped at the intersection.

Ford F-150 driver Marcial Morales Jr., 65, and passenger Yolanda R. Morales, 61, are both in good condition at Sierra View District Hospital after sustaining moderate injuries, spokeswoman Ramona Contreras said.

They are Visalia residents.

Four additional people taken to Sierra View after the crash have since been discharged.

Mitsubishi driver Solis sustained moderate injuries. The passengers riding in the Mitsubishi were Strathmore residents Rosales, Banuelos, Isalas Martinez, 8, and Michael Martinez, 6.

Isalas Martinez suffered moderate injuries; Michael Martinez, minor injuries.

Hyundai driver Roy Joe Ramirez, 44, received minor injuries. Ramirez and his passengers are all from Strathmore.

His passengers were Jesse Ramirez, 14, Louis Ramirez, 4, and Jonathan Ramirez, 2.

None of the passengers in the Hyundai were injured.

Multiple ambulances and a medivac helicopter responded to the scene to help the injured parties.

-- Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.