A 16-year-old Dos Palos boy was injured Tuesday afternoon in a Madera County traffic collision involving two vehicles, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The incident was reported at 1:15 p.m. after Janet Becerra, 47, of Dos Palos was driving a 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck eastbound on Avenue 12, east of Road 26 1/2 at about 45 mph. The 16-year-old boy was a passenger in her car.
Meanwhile, Augustine Gonzalez, 38, of Corcoran was driving a big rig with two flatbed trailers westbound on Avenue 12, east of Road 26 1/2 at around 55 mph, according to the CHP.
For unknown reasons, Becerra made an unsafe turn and allowed the pickup to drift off the south shoulder. The pickup struck a power pole, continued across the eastbound lane, and entered the westbound lane of Avenue 12, directly in the path of Gonzalez's big rig.
Gonzalez tried to steer his big-rig out of the way, but the pickup struck the driver's side fuel tank of his vehicle. The big-rig's first trailer struck a power pole on the north shoulder of the road. The big-rig came to a stop just east of Road 26 1/2 and burst into flames. The Chevrolet came to a rest blocking both lanes of Avenue 12.
Gonzalez escape without injury. Becerra was taken with moderate injuries to Madera Community Hospital. The 16-year-old boy was taken to Community Regional Medical Center with major injuries.
Due to two power poles being severed, a large section of Madera is without power, CHP said. PG & E officials responded to the scene to make repairs. Avenue 12 between Highway 145 and Road 26 will remain closed until around 9 p.m., CHP reported.
-- Sun-Star staff
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