Mazda and Toyota Corolla collided near California 58 off-ramp in southbound lanes
April 13, 2026 | Mojave, CA
A California City couple lost their lives in a devastating two-vehicle crash on southbound California 14 near the California 58 off-ramp, just after 5 p.m.
Roland James Squires, 85, and Carolyn Darnell Squires, 83, were killed in a two-vehicle crash on California 14 at the California 58 off-ramp near Mojave.
The collision between a Mazda and a Toyota Corolla resulted in one vehicle being T-boned, according to initial reports from the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
What Happened in the Crash?
- Date and Time: April 13, shortly after 5 p.m.
- Location: Southbound California 14 at the California 58 off-ramp, near Mojave, California.
- Vehicles Involved: Mazda and Toyota Corolla.
- Fatalities: Roland James Squires, 85, driver of one vehicle, pronounced dead at 5:34 p.m. from injuries; Carolyn Darnell Squires, 83, passenger, pronounced dead at the scene at 5:07 p.m.
- Investigation Status: CHP is actively investigating; no fault determination released yet.
Early accounts suggest the impact was severe, leading to immediate tragic outcomes for the victims.
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Contributing factors in motor vehicle crashes often include speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving. Road conditions, visibility, and lighting also play critical roles and require thorough examination.
Year |
Traffic Fatalities in California |
Change from Previous Year |
National Context |
|---|
2023 |
4,407 |
-2% from 2022 (4,489) |
Second to Texas; ~10% of U.S. total |
2024 (First 9 Months) |
~2,824 (estimated) |
-7.5% from 2023 period |
Continued decline noted |
Data sourced from UC Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center and Caltrans Annual Crash Data. California sees about 500,000 reported collisions yearly, broken down by county, roadway, and severity.
Legal Insights
National legal analysts emphasize the importance of detailed investigations in motor vehicle crashes to support affected families.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must thoroughly be examined,” said candice bond, a managing partner with bond legal. “In cases such as this, an accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision.”
- Key Takeaway: Thorough reconstruction aids in understanding crash dynamics.
- Key Takeaway: Compensation pursuits require expert resources to counter insurance tactics.
- Key Takeaway: Legal representation ensures fair treatment and maximum recovery.
Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal, highlights the broader impacts:
“Pending the results of the investigation, a victim may have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. The stress and worry following a serious injury could be overwhelming, disrupting all aspects of life, including family, work, finances, and overall quality of life. It is vital for victims to hire an attorney when filing a personal injury claim, which allows them to negotiate with an insurance company on behalf of a client. Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth. However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
For more on pursuing claims, contact Bond Legal at 866-985-6515.
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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).