Victims were trapped in burning vehicles, officials confirmed.
FRESNO, CA, (June 19, 2025) -
Three people were killed in a fiery wrong-way crash Thursday evening on Interstate 5 in Fresno County, including 23-year-old Willis Bontrage of Elroy, Wisconsin, the Fresno County Coroner’s Office confirmed.
Willis Bontrage, 23, of Elroy, Wisconsin, was one of three people tragically killed in a fiery wrong-way collision Thursday evening in Fresno County, according to officials.
The California Highway Patrol said a Jeep driven by a man from Shasta County was heading south in the northbound lanes near Highway 145 around 7:39 p.m. when it slammed head-on into a utility van transporting puppies. Bontrage, who was driving the van, and a passenger from Indiana were both killed. The wrong-way driver also died.
A third vehicle struck in the crash sustained minor damage, and its occupants had only minor injuries. All vehicles involved caught fire, trapping the victims.
The crash remains under investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
When blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises, so does the likelihood of a driver being involved in a wrong-way crash. Although these incidents are relatively uncommon, they are disproportionately deadly. In California alone, an average of 43 people lose their lives each year in wrong-way collisions on highways.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all potential contributing factors that must be thoroughly investigated,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal and an experienced auto accident attorney.
“An accident reconstruction team can be critical to determining what happened. These investigations are key to helping victims or their families recover compensation for medical costs, funeral expenses, and other losses,” Bond added.
She emphasized that attorneys handling such cases often bring in expert witnesses, track down crash witnesses, and assess insurance policies to secure justice and fair restitution.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Willis Bontrage may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident such as this.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.”
Have you experienced a similar accident and need guidance? Contact national legal analyst Candice Bond at Newsline for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
(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).