On the morning of February 9, 2026, a devastating head-on collision unfolded on State Route 190 east of Success Valley Drive in Tulare County, California. The rural highway, winding through the foothills near Springville, became the site of tragedy around 7:30 a.m. as two vehicles met in a violent impact that left one person dead and others injured.
California Highway Patrol officers responded promptly to the scene in the Springville area, a mountainous region connecting communities like Springville and Porterville. Emergency crews worked amid the wreckage of a Honda Pilot and a GMC truck, providing aid while securing the roadway that serves local residents and travelers through the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Investigators determined that 20-year-old Carter Lee was driving a 2019 GMC eastbound when, for unknown reasons, his vehicle crossed into the westbound lane. It struck the Honda Pilot head-on, driven by 90-year-old Jack Terrell with his 79-year-old wife Lucinda as passenger, both residents of Springville.
Jack Terrell was pronounced dead at the scene from the severe injuries sustained in the crash. Lucinda Terrell suffered critical injuries and was airlifted or transported to a nearby hospital, where she remained in critical but stable condition as medical teams continued care.
Jack and Lucinda, often called Cindy, had dedicated years to public service as Volunteers in Patrol with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office since 2005, primarily in the mountain communities. They previously contributed to the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team alongside their chocolate Labradors, earning deep respect from colleagues and Sheriff Mike Boudreaux.
Carter Lee, the GMC driver, sustained minor injuries and received treatment, cooperating with authorities at the scene. The crash highlighted the dangers of the curving highway sections in this part of Tulare County, prompting reflections on road safety.