A chain of collisions involving four vehicles on Highway 165 on Wednesday resulted in the death of a 71-year-old Hilmar woman and sent another woman to the hospital with moderate injuries.

The deceased was identified as Patricia Joslin by the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office.

The collision happened at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 165, just north of Johnson Avenue in Hilmar and involved two tractor-trailers, a Dodge and a Mazda.

A 2007 Freightliner driven by Esteban Garcia Jr., 30, of Turlock had stopped in the southbound lane of Highway 165 at Johnson Avenue. Behind him was a 2002 Mazda driven by 22-year-old Jessica Roberts of Modesto. Joslin was driving a 2006 Dodge and was the last vehicle in the chain.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Angel Lopez, 42, of Madera was driving a 2004 Peterbuilt tractor-trailer southbound on Highway 165 and failed to see the stopped traffic ahead of him.

Lopez’s rig was traveling at an estimated 45 mph. Once he spotted the stopped vehicles ahead of him, Lopez turned his truck to the left into the northbound lane, but was unable to avoid the collision.

His tractor-trailer struck the rear of the Dodge, which was pushed into the back of the Mazda. The Mazda was in turn pushed into the Freightliner.

Joslin sustained major injuries from the crash and was transported by air and to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, where she died from her injuries, according to the CHP.

Roberts had moderate injuries and was transported to Doctors Medical Center.

Lopez and Garcia were not injured.

Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash. The collision remains under investigation.

The southbound lane of Highway 165 was closed for about an hour because of the wreck.

To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.