Six-Vehicle Collision near French Camp Road Left Several Fatalities

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CA (April 6, 2023) – Early Friday morning, a suspected DUI crash on State Route 99 took the lives of four people. 

According to the CHP, the collision happened around 12:25 a.m. after a northbound black Honda Accord rear-ended a U-Haul truck towing a flatbed trailer.

Subsequently, the U-Haul driver lost control and veered into the passenger side of a tractor-trailer. 

A 32-year-old woman driving a Honda made a U-turn on SR-99 and drove southbound in the northbound lanes. The Honda then collided head-on with a black Subaru Impreza driven by a 19-year-old man from Pasco, Washington. 

Ultimately, the Honda comes to stop facing north in the center median. Responding personnel declared the solo-female driver dead at the scene. Police believed that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. 

After the head-on collision, the Subaru struck the black GMC Denali pickup towing a white utility trailer, which was being driven by Peter Laidlaw, 40, from Grass Valley.

The Subaru came to rest in the northbound lane facing south where it collided head-on with a Chevrolet Suburban driven by 40-year-old Nicholas Craggs of Stockton. 

Tragically, all three occupants of the Subaru died at the scene. Meanwhile, Craggs sustained major injuries. He was also arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. 

In the end, San Joaquin County Officials temporarily shut down both directions of the roadway to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties. The CHP will provide more information once available. 

Our warm and sincerest sympathies go out to the friends and family of the victim. May the loving memories of your loved one and the love of your family give you strength in the days ahead.

It is important to have strong legal representation on your side when losing a loved one in a DUI crash. Reach out to the wrongful death lawyers at Sweet James today. With 20 years of experience in the field, we know what it takes to help you win your case. Call us at 1-844-363-7713 for a free and confidential case evaluation. You can reach us 24 hours a day and 7 days a week through email, text, and online chat.