Big rig wreck near Harney Lane left two people dead
May 19, 2026 | Lodi, CA
A crash on northbound Highway 99 near Harney Lane in Lodi left two people dead, including a juvenile, and prompted the arrest of a 24-year-old big rig driver.
What happened in the crash?
Clark James Fojas, 20, of Stockton, died after a multi-vehicle crash on northbound Highway 99 in Lodi.
- Date: May 19
- Location: Northbound Highway 99 near Harney Lane, Lodi
- Vehicles: Big rig plus three other cars
- Fatalities: Clark James Fojas, 20, of Stockton, and one juvenile
- Injuries: Five people were transported to hospitals
- Arrest: Big rig driver charged with vehicular manslaughter involving gross negligence and hit-and-run resulting in death
The San Joaquin County Medical Examiner confirmed Fojas died from injuries sustained in the collision. The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the sequence of the crash.
Why do these accidents happen?
Motor vehicle fatalities remain a persistent issue nationwide. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recorded 8,055 deaths in the first quarter of 2025 alone. Common contributing factors include:
| Factor | Description | Source |
|---|
| Speeding | Excessive speed reduces reaction time | Federal Highway Administration |
| Impaired driving | Alcohol or drug use impairs judgment | CDC |
| Distracted driving | Cellphone use diverts attention from the road | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
Legal insights
In cases such as this, families often benefit from prompt independent review of evidence.
“In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party. Time is of the essence in cases such as this one, and the victim’s family must ensure that evidence is reviewed efficiently.”
— Candice Bond, managing partner of Bond Legal.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one. If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve. Insurance companies may try to take advantage of your lack of knowledge of the law and offer a low settlement or deny your claim altogether.”
— Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal.
Pending the investigation, family members of those killed may explore options under wrongful death statutes, which can address loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and related damages.
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).