Six injured after BMW collides with minivan, sending vehicle into Butte County canal

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to a a major injury crash that occurred at the intersection of Highway 162 and Aguas Frias Road in Butte County on Friday, June 19. At around 10:42 a.m. on June 19, 2026 CHP dispatch received a report of a two vehicle collision at the at the intersection of Highway 162 and Aguas Frias Road in Western Butte County. CHP officers learned that one of the vehicles had rolled over into a nearby irrigation canal and was partially submerged. CHP officers with the Oroville Area Office, responded to the scene and located a minivan overturned in an irrigation canal south of Highway 162. Officers arrived to find that passing drivers had already helped all occupants out of the vehicle. The second vehicle involved was a four-door BMW sedan, which came to rest in the eastbound lanes of Highway 162 near the intersection. The BMW was occupied solely by its driver. The minivan had six passengers inside including two adults and four kids. Upon arriving to the scene CHP officers determined two of the kids were unresponsive and not breathing, with a few bystanders had begun CPR. A CHP officer began assisting the citizens with CPR, as emergency medical personnel arrived shortly. Both kids who were unresponsive were successfully resuscitated. All four kids were transported by ground and air ambulances to local hospitals for further for medical treatment. The adults from the minivan were also transported to local hospitals. All occupants of the minivan are reported to be in stable condition at this time, with injuries described as moderate to major. The BMW driver sustained only minor injuries and was not transported from the scene. CHP believes that all seven people involved in the crash had their seatbelts on. After a preliminary investigation as well as evidence collected at the scene, the BMW was traveling southbound on Aguas Friar Road, and for unknown reasons , did not stop at the intersection with Highway 162. The BMW entered the intersection and collided with the minivan traveling eastbound on Highway 162. The impact caused the minivan to lose control and overturn into the nearby irrigation canal. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed this collision or has additional information is encouraged to contact the CHP Dispatch Center at (530) 332-120. -- Report a correction or typo.