News
Mom and 2 Daughters Killed in Fiery 3-Vehicle Crash After Celebrating Teen’s Birthday at Concert
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/Vanessa-Kloie-and-Kylie-GFM-082026-650904bb61da46a789d6249f0c13298c.jpg)
A mother and her two daughters were killed in a fiery three-vehicle crash on California’s Highway 99 after returning home from a concert in the early hours of Monday, Aug. 17. The victims have been identified as mom Vanessa and her daughters, Kloie and Kylie.
NEED TO KNOW
A mom and her two daughters have died after being involved in a three-vehicle collision on California’s Highway 99 in the early hours of Monday, Aug. 17
The victims’ car caught fire after the vehicles collided and mom Vanessa and her daughters, Kloie and Kylie, died at the scene
The trio had been on their way home after attending a concert in Fresno to celebrate Kloie’s 17th birthday when the crash occurred, per a GoFundMe page set up to support the family
A mother and her two daughters have been killed after being involved in a three-vehicle crash on California’s Highway 99 while returning home from a concert.
The collision occurred at around 12:44 a.m. local time on Monday, Aug. 17, near Bakersfield in the state’s Central Valley region, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said, per the San Francisco Chronicle.
One of the vehicles was traveling northbound in a southbound lane when it collided with two other vehicles, police said. They added that they had not ascertained which of the three vehicles had been traveling the wrong way, the outlet reported.
The vehicle containing the family caught fire after the cars collided, and all three died at the scene, the CHP said, per the Chronicle.
According to ABC7 Bay Area, two people in one of the other cars were taken to the hospital with severe injuries, while two in the third car sustained minor injuries.
The CHP said it had not determined whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash amid the ongoing investigation, per the Chronicle.
The Kern County Coroner’s Office has not formally identified the victims, but a GoFundMe fundraiser has named the mom as Vanessa and her daughters as Kylie and Kloie.
The trio had attended a concert featuring Thee Sacred Souls, La Lom and The Womack Sisters in the city of Fresno to celebrate Kloie’s upcoming 17th birthday, according to the Chronicle.
Kloie’s birthday would have been on Thursday, Aug. 20, the GoFundPage stated. The fundraiser added that Vanessa leaves behind a son, who was turning 16 on the same day.
The page has been set up to help the family manage funeral and memorial expenses, “immediate family needs,” and support for Vanessa’s son, “as he navigates life after the unimaginable loss of his mom and sisters,” per the description.
Related Stories
“There are simply no words for the magnitude of this loss or for what this family is facing in the days, weeks, and months ahead,” the fundraiser said.
“Vanessa, Kloie, and Kylie were so much more than the three lives mentioned in a news story. They were a mom, daughters, sisters, family and friends who were deeply loved and who should have made it home that night,” the description added.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Kloie attended Centennial High School in Bakersfield, and the school’s softball team paid tribute to the late teenager on social media.
“Her presence on and off the field will never be forgotten,” a Facebook post included. “Kloie will forever be a Golden Hawk.”
The California Highway Patrol and the Kern County Coroner’s Office didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.
Human Interest
Real People
Real People Tragedy
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(799x0:801x2)/Vanessa-Kloie-and-Kylie-GFM-2-082026-b90bd2e73c084ab5ae614481d4ab5f04.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Best-friends-killed-in-crash-081826-1fe8f9fd70474effa4aa8b5c6625d48e.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/leon-family-060326-2-f1a591cdccc945b596093fec8805c533.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/Vanessa-Kloie-and-Kylie-GFM-082026-650904bb61da46a789d6249f0c13298c.jpg)
Take a break. Sharpen your mind.
Trivia, word games, puzzles and more—fresh challenges are waiting every day.
Explore all gamesRelated Articles
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1025x562:1027x564)/Aryna-Sabalenka-talks-to-the-media-after-defeating-Polina-Iatcenko-090326-10a82765a56d405a894fd46ba99110b6.jpg)
Aryna Sabalenka Blows Up at US Open Reporter Over ‘Partying’ Question
Aryna Sabalenka slammed a reporter at the US Open who questioned if she’s been partying during the tournament after her win in the second round on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/gloria-steinem-playboy-090326-a7e7a6a1e58e43f396ce22ffbde99914.jpg)
Gloria Steinem’s 15 Most Powerful Quotes
Gloria Steinem died on Sept. 2 at the age of 92. Here are some of the feminist icon’s most powerful quotes over the years.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/animal-attack-090326-1-e1b91afe14de412cb195750dd11e0567.jpg)
‘Unusually Aggressive’ Mystery Animal Attacks 3 People in New Hampshire, Including an Intense Incident Caught on Camera
Three attacks by an aggressive wild animal were reported in the Centerra Park area of Lebanon, New Hampshire, police said. The species involved in the incidents is unknown at this time.
Recommended for You
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/maria-bartiromo-090326-dc68e3258ee5404da2fb7594338f146a.jpg)
Fox News Cuts Ties with Maria Bartiromo After 12 Years, Effective Immediately
Maria Bartiromo is no longer with Fox News Media. Her departure was announced on Thursday, Sept. 3, hours after her final broadcast.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/wendell-berry-090126-1-acb23d44e0ed42bdbc2b6c5272a7f49d.jpg)
See All Of Gloria Steinem’s Published Books, After Her Death at 92
Trailblazing activist and author Gloria Steinem has died at age 92. See all of her books below.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(995x348:997x350)/Erin-Andrews-attends-the-2026-Fox-Upfronts-090326-74238dfb7414492fb2602784488c5688.jpg)
Erin Andrews Reveals Why She ‘Can’t’ Wear Heels While Reporting from NFL Sidelines
Erin Andrews revealed why she never wears heels while reporting from the NFL sidelines during an appearance on the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast.
Join the discussion
No comments yet. Start the conversation.