GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - On Wednesday, January 11^th, a fatal accident on Hwy 99 in Gridley took the life of a Live Oak woman.

At around 10:00 in the morning, a Ford pickup heading southbound on Hwy 99 struck a PG&E power pole. The accident occurred just south of West Liberty Road and across from Hollis Lane.

Gridley Police Department, California Highway Patrol, CALFIRE Butte Unit, and medics were dispatched to the scene. Witnesses and reports say that the vehicle caught fire after the impact and flames had to be extinguished. The power pole was damaged, but no lines were downed, and PG&E reports minor repairs were made.

The driver, identified as 44-year-old Sonia Aguilar De Hernandez, was extricated from the severely damaged truck, and was rushed to Orchard Hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, she succumbed due to her injuries.