FRESNO, Calif. — A morning traffic incident on Highway 99 turned deadly this week, claiming the life of a 16-year-old Justin Garza High School student after he was struck by a pickup truck while attempting to cross the freeway.
The Fresno County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Maxwell Thompson. Emergency crews rushed to the scene and performed life-saving measures, but Thompson was pronounced dead at the location of the crash.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision happened shortly before 9 a.m. on February 5, just south of Herndon Avenue. Investigators said Thompson ran from the east shoulder across the northbound lanes toward the center divider when he was hit by a Toyota Tacoma traveling in the far-right lane. The force of the impact threw him back toward the shoulder.
CHP officials confirmed that the pickup driver stopped immediately and cooperated with authorities. Investigators also stated that neither alcohol nor drugs played a role in the crash, which is being classified as a tragic accident.
CHP Fresno Area Commander Capt. Ian Holguin expressed condolences to the victim’s family and emphasized the dangers of pedestrians entering freeways. He noted that high speeds leave motorists with little opportunity to react to sudden hazards, making freeway crossings extremely dangerous.
The loss has deeply affected the Justin Garza High School community, where students and staff are grieving the sudden death of a classmate. Friends remembered Thompson as an upbeat, energetic teenager with his whole life ahead of him.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are urging the public to remember that freeways are built exclusively for vehicles and are not safe for pedestrian travel. The incident stands as a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be lost on high-speed roadways.