OAKDALE – A Ceres woman is facing charges in a fatal crash that claimed the life of her passenger Tuesday morning.
The crash happened at about 5:18am on Highway 108 just east of Lancaster Road. Emergency crews responded and found four vehicles involved in the crash, and an unresponsive adult male down in the roadway.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the driver of a 2003 Chevrolet SUV identified as Erica Linja was traveling eastbound on Highway 108 when she attempted to pass a 2009 Freightliner. The SUV sideswiped a 2001 Honda sedan that was traveling westbound, causing Linja to lose control of her vehicle.
The Chevrolet entered the eastbound lane before swerving back into the westbound lane again directly into the path of an oncoming 2014 Ford utility truck. Both vehicles crashed, ejecting the front passenger who was not wearing a seat belt. The Chevrolet then entered the eastbound lane again where it was struck by the Freightliner.
Linja was transported by air ambulance to a hospital with major injuries. She faces charges of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter, both felonies.
The driver of the Ford was also taken to a hospital, but suffered only minor injuries. The driver of the Freightliner and Honda were uninjured in the crash.
The California Highway Patrol would like to remind motorists that properly wearing a seatbelt can save lives during a traffic collision.
