A fatal head-on crash between a passenger car and a large commercial truck operated by United Rentals closed both directions of State Route 20 in Colusa County on Friday morning, according to California Highway Patrol incident logs. The crash was reported shortly after 8 a.m. on September 11 near the bridge at Lone Star Road, a stretch of highway that runs between the city of Colusa and Williams.
One driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and the truck driver was transported to a hospital after complaining of pain. The collision also triggered a significant fuel spill, prompting a broader emergency response and an extended closure that affected travelers throughout the day.
What Happened on the Bridge at Lone Star Road
CHP records indicate the crash occurred when a westbound vehicle crossed into the eastbound lane and struck the oncoming truck nearly head-on. Both vehicles came to rest blocking the roadway and caught fire shortly after impact, forcing responders to treat the scene as both a rescue operation and a hazardous materials incident.
Firefighters and emergency crews worked to extinguish the flames while Colusa County Sheriff’s deputies assisted CHP officers with traffic control and scene investigation. A commercial tow was called in to remove the wreckage once the fire was contained.
Additional resources were requested within minutes of the initial call, underscoring how serious the scene appeared to first responders. CHP records show a request for backup arrived from the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office within about three minutes, followed by a call for a mobile road enforcement unit from the Ukiah office, which was still more than two hours away given the rural location.
Officers also initiated precautionary procedures for the truck driver even before he was transported, reflecting the severity of the impact. The site itself sits in a particularly hazardous stretch of highway, flanked by water-filled canals and posted with warning signs for sharp curves and a narrow bridge just ahead, features that likely limited visibility and reaction time for both drivers in the moments before the collision.
Diesel Spill Forces Extended Closure of Both Directions
CHP estimated that roughly 120 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from the truck onto the roadway and into a nearby canal, an area near wetlands connected to a wildlife preserve along that section of Highway 20. The spill prompted notification of the California Office of Emergency Services and other environmental response agencies.
A SigAlert was issued shortly after the crash for the eastbound lanes at Lone Star Road, and the closure was later expanded to include both eastbound and westbound lanes between Lone Star Road and Hunter Road. Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes for several hours while crews cleared the scene and addressed the contamination.
Cleanup crews faced added difficulty due to the site’s proximity to sensitive wetlands connected to a nearby wildlife preserve, where fuel runoff into the canal system posed a risk to local waterways and habitats. Environmental responders worked alongside CHP and fire personnel to contain the diesel before it could spread further downstream, a process that took considerably longer than a typical vehicle removal.
The full closure between Lone Star Road and Hunter Road remained in effect through the morning and into the afternoon, with steady backups reported in both directions as crews simultaneously balanced wreckage removal, fire suppression, and spill containment. It was not until roughly 3:50 p.m. that traffic began moving through the area again, nearly eight hours after the initial collision.
Determining Liability in a Highway 20 Truck Collision
Crashes involving commercial vehicles raise distinct legal questions that differ from typical car accident claims. Under California Civil Code Section 1714, every person is responsible for injuries caused by a want of ordinary care, and that duty extends to commercial drivers and the companies that own and maintain their vehicles.
Investigators will look closely at what caused the passenger vehicle to cross the centerline, whether mechanical failure, driver fatigue, medical emergency, distraction, or another factor played a role. California Vehicle Code provisions governing lane control and the standard of care expected of all drivers on state highways will likely be considered in any liability determination.
Because California follows a system of pure comparative fault, an injured party or surviving family can still recover damages even if the deceased driver is found partially at fault, with any award reduced in proportion to that share of responsibility.
Wrongful Death Claims Available to Surviving Family Members
When a fatal crash results from another party’s negligence, California law allows certain surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim under Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60. Eligible claimants typically include a surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children, and, in some cases, other dependents who relied on the deceased for support.
A separate survival action under Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.30 may also be available to recover damages the deceased could have claimed had they survived, such as pain and suffering between the time of the crash and death, along with related medical and funeral expenses. Both types of claims are subject to California’s statute of limitations, so families should not wait too long to understand their options and preserve evidence while it is still available.
How Settlement Value Is Calculated in Fatal Crash Cases
Attorneys and insurance adjusters typically rely on one of two methods to estimate the value of pain and suffering damages in a serious injury or wrongful death claim. The multiplier method takes the total of documented economic losses, including medical bills, lost income, and funeral costs, and multiplies that figure by a number that reflects the severity of the harm, often between 1.5 and 5, depending on the facts of the case.
The per diem method instead assigns a specific dollar value to each day a victim endured pain and suffering before their death, then multiplies that daily rate across the relevant time period. Neither method produces an automatic number. Every case depends on the specific facts, the strength of the evidence, and the extent of the negligence involved, which is why a detailed investigation into the circumstances of a crash like this one matters so much for the families left behind.
A Message From GJEL Managing Partner Andy Gillin
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy on Highway 20,” said Andy Gillin, Managing Partner at GJEL Accident Attorneys. “Losing a loved one in a highway crash is devastating, and families are often left trying to understand what happened while also facing overwhelming grief. We believe every family deserves clear answers and a legal team that will fight to hold negligent parties accountable.”
Families who have lost a loved one or suffered serious injury in a highway crash need experienced legal guidance during an incredibly difficult time. GJEL Accident Attorneys has recovered more than $950 million for California accident victims and their families over more than 40 years of practice.
The firm handles every case on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and no fees unless a recovery is made. If you or someone you love was affected by this crash or another serious accident on California’s highways, call GJEL Accident Attorneys today at 1-855-508-9565 or visit gjel.com to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
