Monday, Jan. 05, 2009

Delhi man dead in accident on Crows Landing Road

Modesto man may not survive, officials say

A crash earlier today on Crows Landing Road just south of East Service Road, southwest of Ceres, left one man dead, according to the California Highway Patrol.

He has been identified only as a 20-year-old from Delhi, said CHP officer Tom Killian. A 22-year-old man from Modesto who was in the same car may not survive. Names have not been released.

The accident was reported at 2:18 p.m.

It appears to have involved two vehicles, a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup and a red Honda S2000 sports car, Killian said. The passenger in the Honda was confirmed dead at the scene.

The Honda's driver was taken to a local hospital with major injuries. The driver is in critical condition, Killian said.

The pickup's driver, a 29-year-old Turlock man, sustained minor injuries. He told authorities he would seek his own medical care and reported complaints of pain, according to the CHP.

Killian said initial information showed that the Honda was heading south on Crows Landing and appears to have tried to pass slower-moving traffic, possibly as the road's two lanes merged into one.

The Honda's driver lost control while passing and appears to have spun into the northbound lane. The sports car was facing north but sliding south, Killian said. The pickup ran into the back of the sports car.

Speed may have been a factor in the collision, as the Honda accelerated to pass the slower moving traffic, but neither drugs nor alcohol are believed to have been involved, Killian said. The road was wet but it was not raining.

The northbound lanes of Crows Landing were closed, Killian said, and cordoned off with flares. Officials are funneling northbound traffic through the center lane, according to reports from the scene.

Bee staff writer Emilie Raguso can be reached at eraguso@modbee.com or 578-2235.

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