Sonora, CA…On October 13, 2025, at approximately 10:00 a.m., a 51-year-old male driver from Beijing, China, was
driving a 2025 Jeep Compass SUV eastbound on State Route 120 near Menke Ness Road, accompanied by his 52-year-old female passenger and his 82-year-old female passenger, both also from Beijing, China. They were traveling behind a Caltrans vehicle driven by 33-year-old Jesse Warren. Both vehicles were on a portion of the roadway where the eastbound and westbound lanes were separated by a broken yellow line.

The driver of the Jeep began to pass the Caltrans vehicle on the left, using the westbound lane. At the same time, the Caltrans vehicle attempted to make a left turn into a California State-owned driveway on the north side of State Route 120. The driver of the Jeep steered to the left to avoid a collision, lost control, and traveled off the north roadway edge, crashing into an embankment. After the impact, the Jeep overturned onto its roof.

The driver of the Jeep was wearing his seatbelt and sustained minor injuries. He was transported to Memorial Medical Center for treatment. The 52-year-old female passenger, who was seated in the right front seat and wearing a seatbelt, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Doctors Medical Center for treatment. The 82-year old female passenger, seated in the rear of the Jeep was wearing a seatbelt, sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash.

One-way traffic control was in place for several hours following the crash. Alcohol and/or drugs are not suspected to be factors. The crash remains under investigation.

The CHP asks anyone who was in the area and witnessed the crash to contact the Sonora Area CHP Office at
(209) 984-3944.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.