A devastating multi-vehicle collision occurred in the early hours of November 23, 2025, on Fruitridge Road near the intersection with Franklin Boulevard in South Sacramento, leaving several people seriously injured and the roadway closed for hours. Sacramento Police Department officers and fire crews responded just after 1:45 a.m. to reports of a violent crash involving at least four vehicles, including a pickup truck that reportedly ran a red light at high speed.
Witnesses at the scene described hearing a loud explosion-like impact that shook nearby homes. When first responders arrived, they found a chaotic scene: one vehicle had rolled over, another was heavily damaged and pinned against a power pole, and debris was scattered across all lanes. Paramedics treated at least six people on-site, with four eventually transported to local trauma centers in critical condition. Two others were treated for moderate injuries and released.
Preliminary investigations suggest the driver of a black Ford F-150 was traveling westbound on Fruitridge Road at an excessive speed when he allegedly blew through the red light at Franklin Boulevard, T-boning a silver Honda Civic that had the right of way. The impact sent the Civic spinning into two additional vehicles waiting at the light—a Toyota Camry and a Chevrolet Tahoe. The force of the collision caused the pickup truck to flip onto its side and slide nearly 100 feet before coming to rest.
“He never even braked,” said Maria Gonzalez, who lives a block away and ran outside after hearing the crash. “It sounded like a bomb went off. I’ve never seen anything like it on this street.”
Sacramento Fire Department crews had to extricate two trapped occupants from the overturned pickup using the Jaws of Life. The driver of the Honda Civic, a 28-year-old woman, suffered severe lower-body injuries and had to be airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center. Her current condition has not been released, but family members at the scene were visibly distraught.
Officers at the scene conducted field sobriety tests on the driver of the F-150, a 34-year-old man from Elk Grove. Sources close to the investigation say the driver showed signs of impairment, and a DUI investigation is active. He was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries before being taken into custody. Police have not yet released his name pending formal charges.
The crash caused significant traffic disruptions throughout the morning commute. Fruitridge Road was completely shut down between Franklin Boulevard and 65th Street until nearly 9 a.m. while the Sacramento Police Major Collision Investigation Unit processed the scene, took measurements, and examined skid marks and vehicle damage. PG&E was also called out after one of the impacted vehicles struck a power pole, causing minor outages in the surrounding neighborhood.
Why Fruitridge Road Keeps Seeing Serious Crashes
Unfortunately, this stretch of Fruitridge Road has a troubling history. Residents say speeding and red-light running are common, especially late at night when traffic is lighter and some drivers treat the wide arterial like a racetrack. Between 2020 and 2024, Caltrans and Sacramento traffic safety data show at least 18 injury collisions at or near the Franklin Boulevard intersection alone—several involving impaired or reckless drivers.
“People fly through here at 60, 70 miles an hour sometimes,” said longtime resident James Carter, who has lived on a side street off Fruitridge for 15 years. “We’ve asked the city for better enforcement and maybe a red-light camera, but nothing changes until someone gets killed or hurt bad.”
The posted speed limit on that section of Fruitridge is 40 mph, yet many drivers routinely exceed it. Community advocates have repeatedly called for traffic-calming measures, increased patrols after midnight, and even consideration of a roundabout, but funding and prioritization have lagged.
The Human Toll Goes Beyond the Night of the Crash
When a high-impact collision like this happens, the effects ripple far beyond the immediate injuries. Victims and their families suddenly face mounting medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and sometimes lifelong disabilities. In cases where DUI or extreme recklessness is involved, the emotional trauma can be even more profound.
For the young woman in the Honda Civic, what started as a normal late-night drive home turned into a life-altering event in the blink of an eye. Her family has already started a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses not covered by insurance. Similar stories play out after nearly every serious crash on Sacramento roads.
What Should You Do If You’re Injured in a Truck or Multi-Vehicle Accident?
Accidents involving pickup trucks and larger vehicles often result in more severe injuries because of the size and weight disparity. Even a standard F-150 can weigh twice as much as a compact passenger car, dramatically increasing the risk of catastrophic damage on impact.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a collision like the one on Fruitridge Road, taking the right steps immediately can protect both your health and your legal rights:
- Seek medical attention immediately—even if you feel “okay.” Some injuries (whiplash, internal bleeding, concussions) don’t show symptoms right away.
- Report the crash to police and make sure an official report is filed.
- Document everything: photos of vehicle damage, the scene, your injuries, and witness contact information.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with an attorney.
- Contact an experienced truck accident attorney in Sacramento as soon as possible.
Insurance companies—especially those representing commercial drivers or large trucks—often move quickly to minimize payouts. They may pressure victims into accepting lowball settlements that don’t come close to covering long-term costs.
How a Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
A qualified truck accident attorney understands the unique complexities of these cases. While this particular crash involved a personal-use pickup rather than a commercial semi, many of the same principles apply:
- Determining liability when multiple vehicles are involved
- Investigating potential DUI or criminal negligence
- Obtaining and preserving crucial evidence (black box data, traffic camera footage, phone records)
- Calculating full damages—including future medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering
- Negotiating with aggressive insurance carriers
- Taking the case to trial if a fair settlement can’t be reached
California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years, but evidence disappears and memories fade quickly. The sooner you have skilled legal representation, the stronger your case becomes.
Moving Forward After Tragedy
As of this writing, the Sacramento Police Department continues its investigation into the Fruitridge Road crash. Charges ranging from DUI causing great bodily injury to felony reckless driving appear likely for the at-fault driver. Meanwhile, the victims and their families begin the long, difficult road to physical and emotional recovery.
Crashes like this are a sobering reminder that our decisions behind the wheel don’t just affect us—they can change (or end) the lives of complete strangers in an instant. Residents along Fruitridge Road hope this latest incident finally prompts the city to take meaningful action on traffic safety before another family is devastated.
For anyone injured in this collision or any similar incident, help is available. Experienced Sacramento truck accident attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis—meaning no fees unless they win your case.
If you’ve been hurt through no fault of your own, don’t face the insurance companies alone. The aftermath of a serious crash is overwhelming enough without having to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our thoughts go out to everyone impacted by this terrible crash. We wish all the victims a full and speedy recovery.