Paul Weldon, Mariana Perez Tinajero Obituary, Death: Fresno Highway 99 Wrong-Way Crash Identified: Two Dead, Six Injured

Paul Weldon, Mariana Perez Tinajero Obituary, Death – A devastating wrong-way collision on southbound Highway 99 near Shaw Avenue in Fresno early Saturday morning resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left several others injured. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed the tragic details in a statement, which also revealed the ongoing investigation into the causes of the crash.

The incident began when CHP’s Fresno Communications Center received multiple emergency calls at approximately 7:18 a.m. reporting a wrong-way driver heading northbound in the southbound lanes of the highway. Authorities later identified the driver as 64-year-old Paul Weldon of Fresno, who was operating a Lexus ES300.

According to the CHP, Weldon entered the freeway at Ashlan Avenue and collided head-on with a Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by a 47-year-old man. The impact was catastrophic, causing both vehicles to spin out of control. A third vehicle, a Honda Civic driven by a 26-year-old man, was also struck during the collision.

Weldon, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the Ford F-150, 73-year-old Mariana Perez Tinajero of Selma, also lost her life. Unlike Weldon, Tinajero was wearing a seatbelt, but the severity of the impact proved too great for her to survive. Both victims were officially identified by the Fresno County Sheriff – Coroner’s Office on Monday.

The crash also left five other occupants of the Ford F-150 with injuries ranging from moderate to severe. Emergency responders transported them to Community Regional Medical Center for treatment. Details regarding their current conditions have not been released. Meanwhile, the driver of the Honda Civic sustained only minor injuries and was treated and released shortly after the accident.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Toxicology reports are pending from the Fresno County Coroner’s Office, which will help determine whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the tragedy. CHP has emphasized the importance of seatbelt use, noting that Weldon’s failure to wear one may have contributed to the severity of his injuries.

Wrong-way collisions, though relatively rare, are often catastrophic due to the high speeds and the unexpected nature of such incidents. The early morning timing and Weldon’s entry onto the freeway in the wrong direction have raised questions about his state of mind and potential contributing factors.

The loss of life and the injuries sustained have left the local community in shock. Friends and family of the victims are grieving the sudden and heartbreaking events. Mariana Perez Tinajero’s loved ones remember her as a kind and caring individual, while the circumstances of Weldon’s actions remain a topic of investigation.

This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the critical importance of road safety, vigilance, and responsible driving. As investigators work to uncover the full details of the crash, the community mourns those lost and hopes for the recovery of those injured. Updates on the investigation and findings from toxicology reports are expected in the coming weeks.