Mother killed, daughter hurt in Salinas wreck

A 27-year-old woman was killed and her 4-year-old daughter injured in a two-car collision southeast of Salinas Tuesday morning, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said.

Amanda Bernal, a Greenfield resident, was driving a 1999 Dodge Interpid that collided with a 2013 Nissan Sentra on Alisal Road south of Zabala Road shortly before 7 a.m., CHP Officer Oscar Loza said.

A 23-year-old Salinas man was driving the Nissan south on Alisal Road along a slight curve on the road when his right tires traveled onto a muddy shoulder, Loza said.

He lost control of the car, which went over the roadway’s double yellow lines and into northbound traffic, the spokesman said.

The Nissan then collided with the driver’s side of the Dodge before it came to rest between northbound and southbound lanes on Alisal Road, according to Loza.

The Dodge ended up in a canal east of Alisal Road, he said.

Bernal and her 4-year-old daughter, who was inside the car, were both transported to Natividad Medical Center, Loza said.

Bernal suffered major blunt force injuries and was later pronounced dead, according to Loza.

Her daughter, who was properly strapped into a child safety seat, had a laceration to her head and was later transported to another hospital as a precaution, Loza said.

The 23-year-old in the other car was transported to Natividad Medical Center to be treated for moderate injuries including pain to his ribs, left shoulder and left leg, Loza said.

Investigators do not suspect drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision, the spokesman said.

The roadway was closed for the collision investigation and to remove the cars and reopened at about 10 a.m., he said.

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