Mattix Salmon, 19, of Kingsburg, Died in Collision With Semi-Truck by Manning Avenue and Riverside Avenue
FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (January 2, 2026) – A 19-year-old man identified as Mattix Salmon has tragically died in a Fresno County semi-truck accident at Mannin Avenue and Riverside Avenue.
Fresno County officials are saying that the accident took place around 6:30 PM on Monday evening. Mattix Salmon was in a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck when his vehicle was sideswiped by a semi-truck that veered into the westbound lanes of traffic.
The force of the impact caused the Silverado to go off the roadway and roll multiple times before coming to a stop. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim.
Sadly, Mattix Salmon died due to the severe nature of his injuries. The driver of the semi-truck remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.
A full investigation into the Fresno County truck accident remains ongoing.
Liability for Fresno County Semi-Truck Accidents
Truck drivers are required to obtain a commercial license and must exercise a great deal of care to avoid colliding with other vehicles. Many truck accidents are due to truck drivers that make unsafe turning movements. Pursuant to California Civil Code 22107, “No person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after the giving of an appropriate signal in the manner provided in this chapter in the event any other vehicle may be affected by the movement.” Truck companies should take several measures to prevent collisions.
- Training: All truck drivers should be well trained to drive their specific vehicle.
- Maintenance: Trucks should be routinely inspected and well maintained.
- Routes: Truck companies should create routes that eliminate as many left turns as possible.
- Hiring: Truck companies should rigorously screen all of their potential hires and make sure that they have a clean driving record.
If a truck driver crosses into opposing lanes of traffic and collides with another vehicle, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a truck accident could extend beyond any truck driver deemed to be at fault. In general, employers are liable for the wrongful actions of their workers who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties. However, truck companies will often hire their drivers as “independent contractors” to avoid direct liability for collisions.
Steps to Take After Fresno County Semi-Truck Accidents
Many people are killed or seriously injured every year in preventable truck accidents. According to the FMCSA, “In 2022, 6,050 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, a 2-percent increase from 2021. From 2021 to 2022, large truck and bus fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by all motor vehicles stayed the same at 0.192, 6 percent below the 21st-century peak of 0.205 in 2000.” It is essential that certain steps are taken after any truck accident results in a fatality.
- Medical Records: All of the medical records and autopsy reports related to injuries should be collected. They can help reveal how a collision took place.
- Photos: Lots of photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Surveillance Footage: When possible, surveillance footage of the collision should be sought. Many traffic intersections are covered by cameras.
- Independent Review: The family of any person who died should seek an independent review of the collision from experienced legal counsel. An attorney can subpoena key pieces of evidence and get to the bottom of how a collision took place.
The vast majority of accidents are preventable. Part of the problem is that truck drivers are often pushed to complete their routes on unrealistic time schedules. This can lead to them becoming dangerously fatigued. In fact, roughly one in ten truck drivers involved in a fatal collision reported being under pressure from their carrier. The family of any person who died in a semi-truck accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Fresno County Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mattix Salmon. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the California Highway Patrol. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many questions remain unanswered. What was the speed of the semi-truck prior to the crash? Why did the truck driver depart from their lane of traffic? What is the safety record of the company that owned the truck?
Do you need more information about a Fresno County semi-truck accident? Our team of truck accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that truck companies are held fully accountable for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here to assist you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
