By admin 
Tehama County officials said a January collision that killed six people on Highway 99W near Corning was a murder-suicide, and that the pickup driver had tried to kill herself on the same highway a day earlier.
Read more Inmate killed in suspected homicide at Sacramento County prison, CDCR says
Christina Whittmore, 31, was under the influence of methamphetamine when she crossed into the opposing lane and drove her black pickup head-on into a Tehama Rural Area eXpress bus Jan. 14, the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.
After reviewing the California Highway Patrol’s investigation, deputy coroners and the medical examiner determined Whittmore’s death would be classified as a suicide. The deaths of TRAX bus driver Kelly Langstaff and passengers Cassandra Moreno, John Perry, Oscar Carrillo and Trena Cain would be classified as homicides, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Tehama County coroner’s officials said they recently received updated findings from the CHP’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team that shed new light on the months-long investigation. An autopsy and toxicology report found Whittmore was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the collision.
Read more 3 sex abuse suits filed against Elk Grove Unified School District in two months
Investigators also “discovered writings associated with Ms. Whittmore that included references to suicidal ideation, financial difficulties, and illicit substance abuse,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Vehicle data showed Whittmore made no effort to slow or stop before striking the bus, sheriff’s officials said.
CHP investigators also obtained dashboard camera footage from Jan. 13 that showed Whittmore cross into the opposing lane on Highway 99W in what investigators described as an apparent attempt to collide head-on with a garbage truck, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Read more Baby toys, pet products and hand soap: A guide to consumer recalls in California
The garbage truck driver took evasive action and avoided a collision.
This story was originally published October 6, 2026 at 3:19 PM.