Woman dies in Highway 198 collision in Visalia with Caltrans water truck

Ron Holman
Visalia Times-Delta
Traffic on eastbound 198 slows Tuesday, June 28 as emergency crews work a collision that killed a woman on highway 198 just before 4 p.m. The Toyota Corolla she was driving collided with the rear of a parked water truck operated by Cal Trans. There were no other injuries reported. Eastbound traffic was limited to one lane during rush hour but CHP expected to have both lanes open within two hours after on-scene investigation efforts were complete. The woman was not identified pending notification of family.

A woman died in rush-hour traffic Tuesday when the Toyota Corolla she was driving collided with the bank-end of a parked Caltrans water truck.

The truck was alongside the highway watering plants to avoid using sprinklers. 

There were no other injuries reported. Motorists passing by said the water truck left little room for error on 198 but wasn't sticking out into traffic. 

Eastbound traffic was limited to one lane from 4 p.m. to after 6 p.m. but CHP expected to have the investigation mostly done Tuesday, allowing nighttime traffic to head east. At one point, CHP pace cars led traffic as far west as Plaza Drive through the traffic heading east. 

Officers had to use a bullhorn during the incident, yelling "just drive and stop looking."

The woman was not identified pending notification of family.

Emergency crews work a collision that killed a woman Tuesday, June 28 on highway 198 just before 4 p.m. The Toyota Corolla she was driving collided with the rear of a parked water truck operated by Cal Trans. There were no other injuries reported. Eastbound traffic was limited to one lane during rush hour but CHP expected to have both lanes open within two hours after on-scene investigation efforts were complete. The woman was not identified pending notification of family.