Fatal Salinas Crash on State Route 183 near McFadden Road

Fatal Head-On Collision Shuts Down Highway South of Castroville

SALINAS, CA (May 19, 2025) – Olga Melnikova, 39, of Pacific Grove, died Monday in a head-on crash involving a semi-truck on State Route 183, just west of McFadden Road between Salinas and Castroville, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

The incident occurred in the westbound lanes of SR-183 at approximately 12:27 p.m. on May 19th, 2025, the report said. The woman’s sedan and a semi truck collided head-on, blocking both lanes of the roadway just west of McFadden Road.

Pacific Grove Woman Killed in Head-on Crash

Emergency responders reported that the driver was trapped inside the smaller vehicle. Sadly, the woman identified as Olga Melnikova was confirmed dead at the scene. Meanwhile, the CHP report did not mention if the truck driver was injured in the collision.

Tow trucks and salvage crews were requested shortly after the collision, and Caltrans was called in to assist with traffic control and lane closures. By 1:01 p.m., traffic in the southbound lanes had backed up into Castroville, prompting CHP to recommend alternate routes via McFadden Road for northbound traffic.

The highway remained closed for several hours as investigators and cleanup crews worked the scene. CHP issued a full roadway reopening notification at 3:22 p.m. The cause of the collision was released at this time. The incident remains under investigation.

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Source: CHP Incident: 0173