Stanislaus County deputy involved in auto wreck

A Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department deputy is expected to be released from an area hospital this morning after he suffered injuries when his squad car went off the road and crashed into a fire hydrant early this morning in South Modesto.

Lt. Charles Grom said the deputy was driving northbound on Carpenter Road near Robertson Road while responding to a suicide call. He said another vehicle pulled in front of the deputy or into his lane, and in trying to avoid the vehicle, the deputy lost control and swerved off the road and into the hydrant.

Grom said the road was wet due to the rain. Nearly an inch of rain has fallen on Modesto since 6 p.m. Monday, according to the Modesto Irrigation District.

Reading from a preliminary report, Grom did not have information as to what speed the deputy was driving or whether his lights or sirens were on. He said on suicide calls, it’s a case-by-case decision based on the method. He also said he did not know if the other motorist stopped or continued on.

He said the officer was alert and suffered cuts and scrapes before being transported.

Grom said he could not release the name of the deputy as the incident is still under investigation.