Melissa Griffin dies in fatal Fresno County crash
Fatal Fresno County crash death of Melissa Griffin
The Fresno County Coroner’s Office announced on Friday the identity of the woman killed in the fatal tractor collision. The victim, Melissa Griffin, was identified as a 47-year-old resident of Tranquility who was serving as a passenger on the motorcycle involved in the accident. Details regarding her personal life were not provided in the official statement.
On Thursday evening, around 9:15 p.m., law enforcement authorities from the California Highway Patrol were dispatched to Colorado Avenue, located just north of Sumner Avenue. The initial reports indicated a serious traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a tractor had occurred in the area.
According to the responding officers, the motorcycle, which had a female passenger, was being operated by a male driver. The motorcycle was a Harley-Davidson Softail model. It was traveling south on Colorado Avenue when it collided with the rear of a John Deere tractor that was towing a tank trailer.
The investigation revealed the tractor was properly equipped with required lights and an emblem indicating it was an “implement of husbandry,” confirming it was operating legally on the roadway. The collision occurred after the motorcycle driver attempted to pass the tractor by moving into the west shoulder. Unfortunately, the maneuver resulted in the motorcycle veering off the road and striking the rear of the vehicle.
Both individuals involved in the motorcycle were thrown from their vehicles at the moment of impact. The female passenger, Melissa Griffin, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident. The male driver sustained severe injuries and was immediately airlifted to a hospital for treatment. As of now, the medical condition of the driver has not been officially reported.
