4 killed, 1 injured in Highway 49 crash near Sonora, CHP says
Four members of a family were killed Wednesday evening when their SUV was struck by a pickup truck at a rural intersection near Sonora, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred about 5:54 p.m. at the intersection of Shaws Flat Road and State Route 49, just outside Sonora. Authorities said a black 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling west on Shaws Flat Road and had stopped at the stop sign at the intersection. For unknown reasons, the driver then proceeded into the path of a northbound Dodge Ram 2500 pickup.
The Dodge, traveling at about 60 mph, struck the left side of the Jeep, propelling the SUV in a northwesterly direction until it came to rest on the west shoulder of the highway, CHP said.
All four people in the Jeep died as a result of the crash: Jose Orta Cotto, 56, who was driving; Jose Orta Carmona, 83; Elba Melendez Deorta, 72; and Michelle Cotto Rodriguez, 52. Authorities said they were all from Puerto Rico.
The 18-year-old driver of the Dodge pickup, a Jamestown resident, suffered moderate to major injuries, according to the CHP. His name was not released.
Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash.
The Sonora-area CHP office is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer S. Machado at 209-984-3944 or smachado@chp.ca.gov.
This story was originally published July 24, 2025 at 9:22 AM.
