Driver Identified in Fatal Highway 101 Crash Near Gonzales
GONZALES, Calif. — Authorities have identified the victim of a deadly crash that occurred Friday afternoon on a stretch of Highway 101 between Salinas and Chualar. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 47-year-old Jesus Alfardo-Burboa was killed in the collision involving a semi-truck and a red pickup truck.
The incident happened just south of Gonzales, near the intersection of Highway 101 and Hartnell Road — a rural connector road often used by local traffic. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a semi-truck was traveling southbound on the 101 when the driver attempted to make a left-hand turn onto Hartnell Road. As the semi-truck crossed over the northbound lanes to complete the turn, tragedy struck.
At that very moment, Jesus Alfardo-Burboa was driving his red pickup truck northbound on Highway 101. According to investigators, his vehicle crashed into the rear side of the trailer as the semi was turning, wedging the pickup truck beneath it. The impact was severe and resulted in catastrophic damage to the pickup.
Emergency responders, including officers from the CHP and local fire crews, rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, they found Alfardo-Burboa unresponsive, trapped under the semi’s trailer. Despite rescue efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The CHP confirmed that he was the sole occupant of the pickup truck. The driver of the semi-truck remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. Investigators have not yet determined if speed, visibility, or mechanical issues played a role in the crash. No other injuries were reported.
Witnesses told authorities that traffic was moving at a regular pace before the incident occurred. The exact timing and judgment of the semi-truck’s left turn remain key elements in the investigation, which is ongoing. Toxicology reports and detailed accident reconstruction efforts are underway to establish a clear picture of what led to the fatal collision.
The crash caused significant traffic disruptions on Highway 101 for several hours. Northbound lanes were partially closed as crews cleared debris and examined the crash site. Drivers were rerouted, and traffic remained slow into the early evening hours.
The loss of Jesus Alfardo-Burboa has left a deep void in the local community. While little is publicly known about Alfardo-Burboa’s personal life, friends and family are mourning his untimely death and remembering him as a hardworking and kind-hearted individual.
This accident is one of several fatal incidents that have occurred on Highway 101 in recent months, raising renewed concerns about road safety, particularly at rural intersections and turning points. Local residents have long voiced concerns about visibility issues and high-speed traffic on this stretch of road. Hartnell Road’s intersection with the highway is not signal-controlled, which can make turning maneuvers especially dangerous during peak travel times.
Authorities are urging drivers to use extreme caution when making turns on highways and to be especially mindful of oncoming traffic before committing to a crossing. The CHP is continuing its investigation and has asked any witnesses or drivers who may have dashcam footage from the area to come forward.
As the investigation continues, the community grieves the loss of another life on California’s roads. Alfardo-Burboa’s death is a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be lost in preventable roadway tragedies.