Eleanor Montes Killed in Oxnard Head-On Crash at Rose Avenue and Wooley Road

Rose Avenue at Wooley Road: a northbound car crossed into southbound lanes and struck another car head-on

OXNARD, CALIFORNIA (September 14, 2026): Eleanor Montes, a 73-year-old Oxnard resident, died Monday afternoon after the car she was riding in was struck head-on at the intersection of Rose Avenue and Wooley Road, according to the Oxnard Police Department. Police said the collision was reported at about 1:14 p.m. and involved a 2024 Honda Accord and a 2015 Honda Civic.

According to the police department’s news release, the Accord was traveling north on Rose Avenue when it veered left through the intersection, continued into the southbound lanes and collided head-on with the southbound Civic. Montes was a passenger in the Civic. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 2:16 p.m., police said.

The 33-year-old Oxnard man driving the Accord and the 52-year-old Oxnard woman driving the Civic were both injured, according to police. The department said it is unknown whether speed or impairment by alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash. The investigation remains ongoing, and the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit asked anyone with information to contact Corporal Joseph Clarke at (805) 385-7750.

Liability for Oxnard Head-On Collisions

California Vehicle Code § 21650 (right side of the roadway) requires drivers to stay on the right half of the road except in limited circumstances. When a vehicle crosses into opposing lanes and causes a head-on crash, investigators look closely at why the driver left the lane. California Civil Code § 1714 makes every person responsible for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care, and California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 (wrongful death) gives close family members standing to bring a claim when a loved one is killed.

• Lane departure: Police said the Accord veered left and continued into the southbound lanes. Why the car left its lane is the central question in a head-on case.
• Speed and impairment: Oxnard police said it is not yet known whether speed, alcohol or drugs played a role. Toxicology and event data recorder downloads often answer that question.
• Passenger rights: A passenger is rarely at fault in a collision. Claims can extend to any driver whose negligence contributed to the crash.
• Vehicle and roadway factors: Mechanical failure, a medical emergency or intersection design at Rose Avenue and Wooley Road can also be examined as possible contributing causes.

Insurance for a passenger’s injuries or death can come from several policies at once, including the at-fault driver’s liability coverage and, in some cases, coverage available through the vehicle the passenger was riding in or the passenger’s own household policy.

Steps to Take After an Oxnard Head-On Crash

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, head-on collisions are among the most deadly types of crashes because of the combined force of two vehicles moving in opposite directions.

• Request the traffic collision report: Contact the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit for the report number and investigating officer.
• Preserve both vehicles: Event data recorders in modern vehicles store speed and braking information that can be lost if a car is salvaged.
• Gather medical records: Hospital and emergency response records document the injuries and the timeline after the crash.
• Identify witnesses and video: Businesses near Rose Avenue and Wooley Road may have cameras that captured the intersection.

A California wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within two years of the date of death under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If the design or maintenance of a public intersection becomes part of a claim, a government claim must generally be presented to the responsible public entity within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.

Investigating Oxnard Head-On Collisions

We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Eleanor Montes. What caused the northbound Accord to veer across Rose Avenue into oncoming traffic? What will the vehicle data and toxicology results show about the moments before the collision?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck or pedestrian accident anywhere in California, our personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.