Madera County, CA – On the night of Saturday, September 13, 2025, a van driver is accused of ignoring a stop sign at a rural junction, resulting in a crash with a big rig that killed three children and left several others injured, as reported by KSEE. The California Highway Patrol noted that the incident occurred at approximately 10:50 PM at the intersection of Road 24 and Avenue 7, located west of Ripperdan. Investigators found that a van with five people inside was heading south on Road 24 as it neared the stop sign. Simultaneously, a large truck towing two trailers was traveling west on Avenue 7. The van moved into the intersection, heading straight towards the big rig. The truck collided with the van with tremendous impact, ejecting two passengers—a 6-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy—out of the vehicle. The boy suffered deadly injuries at the location, even with the quick action from emergency services. Meanwhile, paramedics transported the girl to Valley Children’s Hospital due to serious trauma. Medical personnel tried to rescue her, but her injuries were too severe, leading to her death shortly after she arrived. Meanwhile, three other passengers in the van sustained injuries ranging from moderate to serious. Included in the group was a 17-year-old girl who subsequently passed away at the hospital that evening. Officials have stated that the other victims are still undergoing medical care. The truck driver also sustained injuries in the serious crash. Healthcare teams took him to a local hospital for additional treatment.