Lincoln Avenue between Cornelia and Blythe avenues: a Honda rear-ended a Nissan inside a cloud of dust from almond harvesting, killing two men
EASTON, CALIFORNIA (September 28, 2026): Diego Garcia Tepec, 56, of Fresno and Juan Ortega Juarez, 57, were killed Monday morning, September 28, when the Nissan Sentra they were in was rear-ended on Lincoln Avenue in a rural agricultural area west of Easton, according to the California Highway Patrol, as reported by ABC30. The CHP said a large cloud of dust from almond harvesting had heavily reduced visibility on the road.
The CHP received the call at about 7:50 a.m. about a crash on Lincoln Avenue between Cornelia and Blythe avenues. According to the CHP, Garcia Tepec was driving the Nissan west on Lincoln Avenue, followed by a Honda Civic driven by a 36-year-old Fresno man. Dust from harvesting in an orchard south of the road drifted across Lincoln Avenue, and while Garcia Tepec was driving through it, the Honda entered the dust cloud and struck the back of the Nissan.
The impact trapped both men inside the Nissan, which continued west and came to rest 200 to 300 feet from the point of impact, the CHP said. The Honda ended up in an orchard north of the road. Garcia Tepec and Ortega Juarez were pronounced dead at the scene. The Honda’s driver suffered severe injuries and was taken to Community Regional Medical Center.
All three men were wearing seatbelts, and the CHP said alcohol and drugs do not appear to have been factors. No arrest has been announced, and the crash remains under investigation by the CHP.
Liability for the Fresno County Crash in Harvest Dust
California Vehicle Code § 22350, the basic speed law, prohibits driving faster than is reasonable for conditions, including visibility. Vehicle Code § 21703 prohibits following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, and Civil Code § 1714 makes every person responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care. In this crash, the civil questions typically include:
- Speed in low visibility: The CHP said the Honda entered the dust cloud and rear-ended the Nissan. How fast the Honda was traveling when visibility dropped will be a central question.
- Following distance: The Honda was traveling behind the Nissan before both reached the dust. Spacing between the vehicles before the cloud is often reconstructed from vehicle data and the final rest positions.
- Harvest dust near a public road: Dust from an orchard south of Lincoln Avenue drifted across the road. Whether harvest operations near a public roadway took reasonable steps to warn drivers or control dust may be examined.
- Passenger claims: Ortega Juarez was a passenger. A passenger’s family generally may pursue claims against any party found responsible, including through available auto insurance.
The families of both men may bring wrongful death claims under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. These civil claims are separate from any decision about criminal charges, which has not been announced.
Steps to Take After a Fresno County Crash
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rural roads account for a disproportionate share of traffic deaths compared with the miles driven on them. Sudden low visibility from dust, smoke or fog is a known hazard on Central Valley roads during harvest season.
- Request the CHP report: Ask the CHP for the Traffic Collision Report, which will include measurements, vehicle positions and statements about the dust conditions.
- Document the conditions: Photos or video taken by others that morning, and the location of the harvesting equipment, can show how thick the dust was and where it came from.
- Identify all insurance: Gather policy information for the Honda, the Nissan and any household policies with uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
- Preserve the vehicles: Ask that both vehicles be kept, not salvaged, until they can be inspected, including any event data they recorded.
Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If a public agency is responsible for road conditions or signage, a government claim is generally due within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating the Fresno County Crash
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Diego Garcia Tepec and Juan Ortega Juarez, and we hope for the recovery of the injured driver. Important questions remain: How fast was the Honda traveling when it entered the dust cloud on Lincoln Avenue? And was anything in place to warn drivers about harvest dust drifting across the road that morning?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck or pedestrian accident anywhere in California, our personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Published on October 1, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on September 28, 2026.
