Authorities are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that claimed the life of 18-year-old Esmeralda Marcela Gutierrez and injured several others Tuesday night in Madera County.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Gutierrez was driving a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu east on Avenue 17 when she failed to stop at a stop sign at Road 28 1/2 at approximately 9:46 p.m. The vehicle entered the intersection and collided with a southbound 2019 Jeep Wrangler driven by a 25-year-old Madera woman.
Gutierrez died at the scene.
A 19-year-old man riding in the Malibu was hospitalized with major injuries, while another passenger sustained minor injuries. The Jeep driver and one passenger also suffered injuries in the collision.
The California Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.