Lancaster Woman Killed in Car-Truck Accident

A Lancaster woman was killed early Monday when her car ran a stop sign and was struck by a pickup truck, sheriff’s deputies said.

Beatriz Chavez, 60, was pronounced dead shortly after the 5:55 a.m. accident at 10th Street East and Avenue M, deputies said. The other driver, identified as Richard Smith, 25, of Lancaster, was not injured or held, deputies said.

Chavez’s 1986 Volvo was southbound on 10th Street East when she failed to heed a stop sign and was hit by Smith’s pickup, which was traveling at 45 to 50 m.p.h., deputies said. Chavez, who was wearing a seat belt, was killed instantly.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Worley, noting the early hour of the crash, speculated that Chavez may fallen asleep. A coroner’s spokesman said a dog in Chavez’s car survived the accident with no apparent injuries.