Dos Palos teen is hospitalized after collision on Avenue 12

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 crash was reported at 1:15 p.m. after Janet Becerra, 47, of Dos Palos was driving a 1997 Chevrolet pickup eastbound on Avenue 12, east of Road 26½ 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 26½ 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, according to the CHP. 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 26½ and burst into flames, the CHP reported.

The Chevrolet came to rest blocking both lanes of Avenue 12. Gonzalez escaped without injury. Becerra was taken to Madera Community Hospital with moderate injuries. The 16-year-old boy was taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno with major injuries.

After the two power poles were severed, a large section of Madera was without electricity, CHP said. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. officials responded to the scene to make repairs.