The Visalia office of the California Highway Patrol reports that a 41-year-old Sanger woman died of injuries suffered in a Monday night accident with a big rig on Freeway 99, south of Merritt Drive.

The accident was reported in the northbound lanes of the freeway at about 6:15 p.m. Monday. Investigators said that a 2005 Freightliner, driven by a 52-year-old Willows man, was northbound on the freeway in the number two lane when traffic slowed due to a thin strip of sheet metal in the roadway.

A 1996 Honda, driven by the unidentified Sanger woman, hit her brakes due to the traffic hazard. For undetermined reasons, the big rig failed to brake in time. His vehicle collided with the rear of the Honda.

The force of the impact forced the Sanger woman's Honda into the metal guard rail of the center divider, causing major damage to the vehicle.

The Sanger woman was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the big rig was not injured.

(March 7, 2007