IDENTIFIED: 3 friends killed in Caruthers crash

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – The three people who were killed in a crash in Caruthers Friday evening have been identified by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

According to CHP, they responded to Highway 41 and Nebraska Avenue for a crash between two pickup trucks.

Officers say a 2000 Chevy Silverado was traveling westbound on Nebraska Avenue and failed to stop at the posted stop sign when it collided with a 2020 Dodge Ram pulling a travel trailer that was headed southbound on Highway 41.

Investigators report the impact forced both trucks down an embankment.

As a result, deputies say the driver of the Chevy, 57-year-old Mark Bruce of Fresno suffered fatal injuries. Two of his passengers, 18-year-old Blanca Villegas of Selma and 17-year-old Dezirae Perez of Fresno were ejected and died as a result of the crash. The third passenger was also ejected and sustained major injuries. All three passengers appeared to be unrestrained.

The sheriff’s office reports all were friends.

Detectives say the Dodge’s driver suffered moderate injuries, his male passenger suffered major injuries, and a juvenile passenger reported complaints of pain.

It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision as CHP continues to investigate.

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