KINGS, CA, (August 10, 2026) – Two vehicles collided head-on early Monday on Highway 43 in rural Kings County, killing one person and injuring two others, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The Kings County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Gerardo Flores-Gomez, a 38-year-old Hanford man.
CHP’s preliminary investigation found that a 2021 Toyota Corolla was traveling north on State Route 43 near Nevada Avenue around 5:45 a.m. when the driver veered into the southbound traffic lane and struck a 2007 Toyota Camry head-on. Flores-Gomez, who was driving the Camry, died from injuries sustained in the collision. A passenger in the Camry was taken to Kaweah Health Medical Center in Visalia.
The Corolla driver was also hospitalized with minor to moderate injuries.
Alcohol and/or drugs are not believed to be factors. The investigation is ongoing.
