Legal news for California automobile accident attorneys. A Mitsubishi slams head-on into fuel tanker injuring a mother and son.

California automobile accident attorney’s alert- A collision between a fuel tanker and a Mitsubishi Galant leave victims with critical injuries.

Salinas, CA—A mother and son were left seriously injured after a head-on collision with a fuel tanker. The crash happened on Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 8:45 a.m. in Gonzales, as reported by the Monterey County Herald.

According to California Highway Patrol, a 2006 Mitsubishi Galant driven by Araceli Avila, along with her 5-year-old son, crossed the center divider and crashed head-on into a fuel truck. Avila was reportedly traveling northbound on Highway 101 when she struck the southbound truck. The force of the impact was so intense it ripped the engine from the car. Both Avila and her son were seriously injured and were transported by a medical helicopter to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center for treatment of their critical injuries. Avila sustained serious internal injuries, and her son suffered a broken femur bone in the crash. The boy reportedly was secured in a booster seat at the time of the crash. The driver of the fuel tanker, Rolano Yokaum, 59, of Salinas reportedly suffered wrist pains but refused to seek medical treatment.

According to witnesses, the car was allegedly driving erratically before the crash occurred. The head-on wreck left the Mitsubishi badly damaged, and was loaded on a flatbed truck and towed away. The fuel tanker, which is operated by Monterey County Petroleum, only sustained damage to the front end of the truck. Three fire engines from the Gonzales Fire Department, one fire truck from Salinas Rural Fire District, and crews from Caltrans all responded to the crash.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news report for California lawyers practicing automobile accidents.