Ding Li Killed in Fresno County Truck Accident
The Freightliner tractor-trailer failed to stop for traffic on Interstate 5, triggering chain-reaction collision
Ding Li, 57, was killed in a chain-reaction crash on southbound Interstate 5 north of Jayne Avenue in Fresno County, California, on Wednesday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP is investigating the multi-vehicle collision. No charges have been filed.
A 2025 Freightliner tractor-trailer was driving at approximately 60 mph when it approached stopped traffic. The big rig vehicle failed to stop in time. It struck the stopped vehicles, triggering a chain-reaction crash involving three other cars.
The Fresno County Coroner’s Office identified the victim on Monday. Her city of residence remains unknown.
The driver of the big rig has not been officially identified. Authorities have not released the conditions of the other people involved in the wreck.
According to federal crash data, 365 people died in large‑truck crashes in California in 2023, a persistent toll on major freight corridors such as Interstate 5.
Why did the truck fail to stop on Interstate 5?
Investigators are working to determine why the tractor-trailer could not slow down for the stopped traffic ahead. In truck accidents such as this, crash reconstructionists examine electronic logging devices, brake maintenance records, and driver hours-of-service logs.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Federal safety regulations govern nearly every aspect of commercial trucking, from driving-hour limits to vehicle inspections, but compliance is not always consistent. When those standards are not followed, consequences for other roadway users can be devastating."
"An attorney after a fatal crash typically starts pulling compliance records and cargo manifests to identify where breakdowns occurred," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What role does speed play in chain-reaction crashes?
The 60 mph approach speed of the Freightliner will be a central focus of the ongoing inquiry. A fully loaded truck requires significantly more stopping distance than a passenger vehicle. When a big rig strikes stopped traffic at highway speeds, the resulting chain-reaction impacts frequently cause fatal injuries to the passengers of smaller vehicles.
California wrongful death statute
Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. California applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.
According to Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal, "Fatal truck crashes leave surviving families facing grief and serious financial pressure simultaneously, and the insurance process rarely moves at a pace that matches those urgent needs."
"Funeral costs, lost income, and ongoing expenses pile up fast. An attorney can step in to manage competing insurance claims and protect what affected families are truly owed," Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted.